Video není dostupné.
Omlouváme se.

How to Stop Copper Pipe Corrosion | Ask This Old House

Sdílet
Vložit
  • čas přidán 18. 08. 2014
  • This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains causes and cures for water-pipe corrosion.
    SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: bit.ly/Subscrib...
    About Ask This Old House TV:
    Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers-and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
    Follow This Old House and Ask This Old House:
    Facebook: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
    Twitter: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
    bit.ly/AskTOHTw...
    Pinterest: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
    Instagram: / asktoh
    bit.ly/AskTOHIG
    Tumblr: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
    For more on This Old House and Ask This Old House, visit us at: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
    How to Stop Copper Pipe Corrosion | This Old House
    / thisoldhouse

Komentáře • 466

  • @mikegert2199
    @mikegert2199 Před 7 lety +43

    Guys, Thank you for that great informative video. You have just made an old plumber very happy. Truth, I had bits & pieces of that knowledge but you guys put it all together in a very coherent form. Once again, very well done & thanks.

  • @195421dlp
    @195421dlp Před 6 lety +10

    Excellent job guys!! Im a carpenter/plumber /GC. My clients always believe that if a water heater looks good from the outside then the world is perfect. Now I have something to show them. Keep up the good work!

    • @nickole4830
      @nickole4830 Před 5 lety

      Mr. Persha how long will a water heater last & how often should it be replaced?
      Any information would be greatly appreciated

    • @elisebastian153
      @elisebastian153 Před 2 lety +1

      @@nickole4830 I know this is a ways down the road from your question but I usually see 8-12 years average from a modern water heater, gas or electric.

  • @30AndHatingIt
    @30AndHatingIt Před 6 lety +120

    Anyone else watch this video and go "Yup... I'm screwed"?

    • @Xergecuz
      @Xergecuz Před 5 lety +10

      10 years, I didn't even know that rod existed, guess I need to call a plumber.

    • @ibealion1
      @ibealion1 Před 3 lety +4

      @@Xergecuz The anode rod is easy to replace yourself if that's all you need done... youtube it.

    • @johnglasser5431
      @johnglasser5431 Před 3 lety

      00p

    • @lizaaltizer7775
      @lizaaltizer7775 Před rokem +2

      Yep. I’m in an enormous 125 year old house with bad copper pipes and now I’m afraid to look at the water heater too. 😂

    • @mtadams2009
      @mtadams2009 Před 4 měsíci

      It’s not that difficult to change and there are many videos on CZcams to step you through it. Good luck or just pay someone.

  • @Memories4lifemedia
    @Memories4lifemedia Před 6 lety +2

    Fully qualified plumber in UK so aware of this problem but good to see the effects of this so making it easier to diagnose thanks

  • @ElementofKindness
    @ElementofKindness Před 6 lety +5

    Wow, I had no idea so many things can effect copper piping. I will take it to heart when I get to that stage of my build!

  • @Delta9D9
    @Delta9D9 Před 5 lety +7

    Just learned this now. I had no idea that flux on the cold line could do such a thing. Have that very issue as pin holes are developing everywhere and all around the copper tubing. Mostly near joints.

  • @Sailor376also
    @Sailor376also Před 8 lety +53

    Builder of 50 years. Licensed originally in Boston 1972.
    Nearly every perforated pipe I have ever dealt with, was perforated from the outside, not the inside. And the source of that perforation ON THE COLD WATER PIPES has always been from improperly vented fuel burning appliances,,, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters. Mostly older equipment, mostly oil burners,,, but the common thread has been sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides combining with condensate on the exterior of cold water pipes, over a period of years. Yes, an iron flake can eat a hole in a pipe,,,, but that is very likely from the previous water heater,,,, it takes years. And the more common source,,, is the common iron to copper connection that does not have a dielectric union. Some one can come through years later and cut and install new,, or remove all the old iron,,, but it can still leave its pieces behind in the pipes.
    Annnnnnd it is ALL dependent upon the average or normal ph of the water. You did mention that,,, usually a city wide or regional characteristic.

    • @nickmedonic8061
      @nickmedonic8061 Před 8 lety +9

      thank you sir. experience goes a long way. great info...

    • @shred46
      @shred46 Před 7 lety

      If all the old iron pipe is removed, how can it leave it's pieces behind in the new copper pipes?

    • @JustinCrediblename
      @JustinCrediblename Před 6 lety +3

      +doctor shred
      because standard iron is a crappy product that rusts and flakes. the flakes land on things and can remain on the threads and inside the copper pipes

    • @booneyscb
      @booneyscb Před 6 lety +2

      The residual piece are lying in unchange pipes?

    • @HobbyOrganist
      @HobbyOrganist Před 6 lety

      Copper does not normally "corrode" away and leave perforations, that
      green verdigris patina is what PROTECTS the metal from further
      corrosion, that is why thin sheet copper roofs on churches, skylights
      and flashing on old buildings is still there even after 100 plus years
      exposed to the direct weather, I have several machine stamped sheet copper artifacts from demolished buildings that are in mint condition despite exposure for decades and more to polluted NYC air, hot, cold, wind, snow, ice, rain etc.I'm with you, something other than simply corrosion perforates copper pipes in a home- like combustion bi-products.

  • @jjyemg2397
    @jjyemg2397 Před 3 lety +4

    Trethewey is hands down the greatest. Been watching him since the 80's. Iron is less noble than copper so the recirculating iron thru the homeowners HW pipe is NOT the direct reason the copper corroded. It's the iron laying down on the copper pipe and the copper corrosion is from under deposit corrosion. Dissimilar metals in an electrolyte, release of hydrogen ions and a localized pH depression that created the pit.

  • @Aezelll
    @Aezelll Před 7 lety +10

    We had well water on one house that we bought for cheap and put in all new mechanical. It was a hot water heat system in the house. Every new water handling component from the well pump, indirect hot water tank tank for domestic water, and the boiler internals were stainless steel. The installer serviced them after the first 5 years and I watched them open everything up. You could still eat off the gleaming white stainless surface inside. Stainless internals are the way to go these days if you can afford the up front cost. They will last dang near forever.

  • @tygrahof9268
    @tygrahof9268 Před 8 lety +8

    Bought a 1966 track home and wondered about the water heater after I bought it. Found out it was the ORIGINAL water heater. LOL Just like painting and caulking; if you do not take care of your home, problems occur! Needless to say that water heater is long gone.

    • @rbeck3200tb40
      @rbeck3200tb40 Před 7 lety +1

      You had a 50 year old hot water heater ??????????

  • @unclematt3
    @unclematt3 Před 4 lety +1

    Regarding getting the anode rod out, I tried with a socket and breaker bar, and it was no dice. Even used a pretty darn long breaker bar and that sucker wasn't moving and the tank was spinning all around. I was amazed, though, at how quickly a corded Kobalt electric impact gun got it out. I think the key is every year taking it out, checking it, and putting it back in at about 80 foot pounds. One of those "do every year when you change the smoke detector batteries" jobs. Once you get it out and put it back in only at a decent tug, always using teflon tape and cleaning off the threads with an old toothbrush, it's not hard to get it out afterwards.

  • @johnbecich9540
    @johnbecich9540 Před 6 lety

    THIS is Richard Trethewey's finest hour, and that is saying A LOT.

  • @garywheeler7039
    @garywheeler7039 Před 7 lety +1

    I make sure to use a water soluable soldering flux, it washes away and doesn't stay in the pipes. Oil based fluxes are more like vasoline and can stay inside the pipe.

  • @cloudstrifeification
    @cloudstrifeification Před 5 lety +1

    This is good info to know as our old house has the old galvanized lines in it that will need to be replaced as I know some have rust inside them because I have to clean rust out the aerator on the bathroom sink a number of times per year.

  • @douglasthompson2740
    @douglasthompson2740 Před 8 lety +13

    In our water system the anode swells up and cannot be removed to be replaced. I have cut many apart and they all generally have plenty of anode (zinc alloy) but it is porous and swollen. If they made the pipe plug that holds it two or so times larger than the diameter of the anode it would be an easy solution. The manufacturers know this and intentionally design them to last ten to fifteen years maximum and then have to be replaced. This is another engineered problem done to the homeowner. Doug

    • @LarryC213
      @LarryC213 Před 7 lety

      Douglas Thompson, You wrote: " If they made the pipe plug that holds it two or so times larger than the diameter of the anode it would be an easy solution. The manufacturers know this and intentionally design them to last ten to fifteen years maximum and then have to be replaced. This is another engineered problem done to the homeowner. Doug" Wow, that really is a dirty thing to do. I suppose that I should not be surprised.

    • @ddd228
      @ddd228 Před 6 lety +1

      I replace my anode after only 7 years. It was TOAST! I used a segmented one. Home depot $39.

    • @dtrrtd774
      @dtrrtd774 Před 6 lety +2

      Is there any kind of standardization to them or are they all different based on the model? Mine's at the 10 year mark, so I guess it's an English muffin now.

    • @tombryan1
      @tombryan1 Před 5 lety

      Maybe the deep state is involved, or perhaps the dark web.

  • @kenwelch198
    @kenwelch198 Před 4 lety +1

    A common problem in Florida is lightning. I often bust up a concrete slab to find a pipe that looks like it had a arc welder sparked down the side.

  • @tazzertime
    @tazzertime Před 8 lety +4

    A lot learned in six minutes! Thanks!

  • @flightographist
    @flightographist Před 5 lety +25

    As always, learned something.

  • @NomoSapienss
    @NomoSapienss Před 8 lety +45

    This was really well illustrated.

  • @dg903
    @dg903 Před 6 lety +2

    FANTASTIC info! Gives me an idea of what got my pipes to leak! Thank you!

  • @dwavenminer
    @dwavenminer Před 5 měsíci

    Thanks for the great video...
    I'm so screwed...well guess when my boiler starts having issues, I'll just buy a replacement rather than trying to have it fixed...with the state of my hot water pipes, my boiler must be a lump of rust by now...

  • @dalebabbitt6185
    @dalebabbitt6185 Před 4 lety

    This video was posted in 2014. It's now 2020 so I'm a little late to the party. This is very interesting information. I've had 2 pin holes on 2 separate occasions in my cold water feed to my second floor vanity. It destroyed the first floor ceiling and wall. I'm in the middle of repairing the second incident so I'm replacing the copper with PEX on as much copper as I can access from the demolition removal.

  • @mikeatyouttube
    @mikeatyouttube Před 6 lety +110

    Has anyone tried to replace an anode rod? The heater manufacturers jam those things in so tight that it's often impossible to remove them. Not only that, but the tanks are invariably round cylinders. I did, eventually, get my anode rod undone on my GE heater. I estimated it was tightened to about 800 ft pounds. It took a 7ft crow bar to get the thing undone - and screwed-on earthquake straps to stop the tank rotating. My air impact driver was not up to the job. The original anode rod was flush with the top outside surface of the tank - when I tightened the new one in, to a more sensible 50ft pounds, it was about 3/8" proud of the top of the tank showing just how stupidly tight the manufacturer installed the original.
    One can only assume that the tank manufacturers don't want you to replace the rods - they would rather you replace the whole tank.

    • @timothymyers3072
      @timothymyers3072 Před 6 lety +4

      I have gotten Anode Rods out with a Breaker Bar and Sockets. I had an Electric Water Heater inside a closet space which only allowed me to use a very short Cheater Bar on the Breaker Bar.

    • @HobbyOrganist
      @HobbyOrganist Před 6 lety +8

      Yes, on my Sears water heater, I didn't have any problem getting the anode out, but corrosion or lyme buildup would make it hard to turn.

    • @fuckgoogle792
      @fuckgoogle792 Před 6 lety +1

      good lookin out

    • @robs5369
      @robs5369 Před 6 lety +6

      Same happened to me, tried replacement or rod and couldn’t budge without twisting heater off the floor. Once it finally shit the bed went with tankless gas heater and never looked back

    • @AdamOmidpanah
      @AdamOmidpanah Před 6 lety +3

      Do water heaters create big pressure differentials b/c heating and cooling? Wonder if it clinches the bar down over time. 700ftlbs lawdy!

  • @vicw926a4
    @vicw926a4 Před 8 lety +2

    Thank you for providing this informative and helpful video. The cutaway water heater shocked me into realizing that I never thought about replacing the original anode in my 9 year old, 12 year rated, water heater. Thanks to my son-in-law, and his impact wrench, we were able to remove the old one. I don't think we could have removed it with just a breaker bar. The original anode still had a fair amount of magnesium still present, although it was quite pitted, as expected.
    I stuck an endoscope into the anode opening, and was relieved to see that the interior walls didn't look bad at all. There were some deposits near the top, perhaps calcium, but the walls looked pretty pristine otherwise. Of course, I was seeing a very limited area, but I'm satisfied that I should get a few more years of life out of my old heater.

    • @louistournas120
      @louistournas120 Před 8 lety

      Where do you get the magnesium bar?

    • @victorweinrich1115
      @victorweinrich1115 Před 8 lety

      I bought it through Amazon www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003110YN8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
      I discovered afterward that supplyhouse.com, (from which I have had very good service on a variety of other product purchases), also has a variety of anode rods available.

    • @phiksit
      @phiksit Před 7 lety +1

      I had to use an impact gun to remove my anode as well. Mine was making a popping noise due to sediment and found the only way to get the sediment out was to: drain the water, haul it outside, pull the T&P valve, the anode and the drain valve, carefully lay it on it's side and spray the garden hose in the anode hole. I then got two handfuls of white sediment to come out of it and no more popping noises.
      I also noticed the probe on my T&P was wobbly and now I see a small puddle from it every once in awhile, so probably I should have replaced that too. I also replaced the crappy plastic drain valve with a brass one.

    • @stevescherer4954
      @stevescherer4954 Před 4 lety

      phiksit Before replacing a T&P valve, check two things. 1 that the expansion tank is present and still has air in it. 2. That the house water pressure is regulated down to 60-70 psi. Either issue will make a good t&p valve leak. I had both.

  • @grillo7196
    @grillo7196 Před 3 lety +2

    This show is awesome! Good information guy’s.

  • @augnkn93043
    @augnkn93043 Před 5 lety +1

    Informative to see pipes cut open like that. Well done.

  • @readmore3634
    @readmore3634 Před 5 lety

    I'm 60 yrs old, and got my anode rod out with a 18 pipe wrench....it was part of the hot water outlet.....if it were a hex nut I would have tapped on it (fairly hard) from all sides first to break the corrosive bond (weld) of the 2 metals....that helps a LOT in plumbing...5 yr anode looked about 1/2 gone. replaced it. $40.00

  • @psdaengr911
    @psdaengr911 Před 6 lety

    One of the best arguements for not using copper pipe. WE vever had this problem with galvanized steel threaded pipe.

    • @onebrightflash
      @onebrightflash Před 6 lety

      I don't think there is a perfect plumbing pipe. I had a house on well water that had copper plumbing pipe. One section of the pipe failed and was replaced due to 35 years exposure to 6.5 pH well water. I installed a whole house filter and packed granulated carbonate around the filter each time I changed the filter medium to raise the water pH to slow the corrosion. It has been 10 years and I have not had to replace anymore of the copper pipe. The same house has a well that uses PVC pipe down in the well to deliver the water from the water pump in the bottom of the well. After twenty years of use I had to replace the water pump. The PVC pipe had gotten very brittle and shattered while pulling up the pump. Thank goodness the installer was smart enough to install the pump with a rope tied to it. I was able to use the rope to pull the pump out of the well. On another house I had to replace a 40 year old 1 inch galvanized water supply line pipe because corrosion and mineral build up inside the pipe reduced the inside diameter to about 3/8 inch. The house also used CPVC pipe for the hot water lines. When I had to cut out a leaking water valve, I learned how brittle CPVC gets after 40 years. If I ever build a house I will make a point to keep water lines short and accessible so future replacement will not be a major headache.

  • @FunkeymonkeyTTR
    @FunkeymonkeyTTR Před rokem +1

    these videos are always so hard but yet so funny to watch

  • @rupe53
    @rupe53 Před 3 lety +1

    Might be nice if they mentioned the common problem of the 5 ft tall heater with a 4 ft long anode rod, and only a 6-7 ft tall basement ceiling. There are replacement rods available in segmented fashion with a cable holding all the pieces together. IOW, it's flexible so you can change it in low clearance situation.

  • @hey8you
    @hey8you Před 2 lety

    I think the condo I live in is having similar issues. Our HOA came out with a new document about the water leaks. In our case I think its the pipe hangers used. My neighbors pipe sprung a leak at the hanger. The plumber mentioned he never seen the type of pipe hanger used in a while. Its made of a dissimilar metal causing corrosion. This type of hanger is everywhere here and is probably original.

  • @MrKakuaa
    @MrKakuaa Před 3 lety

    Forensic experts “ Extraordinary The Old House.” I am impressed.

  • @manla8397
    @manla8397 Před 7 lety

    This actually opened my eyes

  • @sissymurphy9620
    @sissymurphy9620 Před 5 lety +1

    I have well water with iron and sure glad I have pex .But what does this water do to my water heater and other items .I would love a tankless but seen them fail here time after time .I am guessing because of the iron .My fridge line was replaced with copper line 2 years ago and sprung small pinholes that ruined my floors

  • @1puppetbike
    @1puppetbike Před 4 lety

    Since I don't know what I'm doing as a general handyman and puppet head.
    I've taken to flushing new work on cold water pipes with a tank full of hot water.
    A couple of fittings extra and a temporary hose.
    Seems like it's worthwhile.

  • @oldtwinsna8347
    @oldtwinsna8347 Před 4 lety

    Only came to read comments saying Richard is spouting nonsense and has no idea what he's talking about, yet the poster knows more.

  • @ChrisRenzi65
    @ChrisRenzi65 Před 3 lety

    Most informative video I have ever seen about hot water tanks!!!! Thank you so much!!

  • @leoayoroa7217
    @leoayoroa7217 Před 2 lety

    I like this show especially The Plumber

  • @dnorlund1662
    @dnorlund1662 Před 2 lety

    I installed a Rheem Marathon water heater that doesn't require an anode----since it's all plastic. Easiest tank I've ever moved. But, a little on the pricy side.

  • @melotone3305
    @melotone3305 Před rokem

    So in a 60yro house with original copper pipes when I see signs of pinhole leaks I have to guess they are due to (1) sitting water during construction, and/or excess flux used when originally joints were soldered? Now to decide if 7yro Rheem water heater needs to be replaced. Would be a neat hack if someone could figure out how to determine health of sacrificial rod by using a "dry" voltmeter test.

  • @FMHammyJ
    @FMHammyJ Před 6 lety

    I had a pinhole link in the copper water pipe entering the house....a pin hole leak developed and dripped down flooding the subfloor....it was only after the water had reached the floor did I realize that I had a leak.. A complete disaster......had to remove everything, and replace the sub floor. The pin hole leak developed where the pipe had been in touch with the concrete foundation....the builder had only put a small piece of tar paper between the pipe and the concrete, which had deteriorated over 40 years. I had no idea that concrete could be corrosive.....lesson learned. Fortunately, insurance covered it all.

  • @wetley09
    @wetley09 Před 3 lety +1

    Weird 🤔 I dont think I've ever busted the concrete to fix or end up rerouting overhead a cold water copper line. Its always the hot line. 🤷‍♂️ I did three this week alone so I'm familiar

  • @mrc4912
    @mrc4912 Před rokem

    It's a simple matter of electrolysis: to prevent the copper from degrading one atom at a time, have a substitute wrap or plate that is more chemically active, such as zinc or aluminum. That's why steel ships have 'wear plates' attached to their hulls, so the zinc dissolves first instead of the steel. Periodically, these plates need to be replaced as a part of routine maintenance.

  • @dgk2m9
    @dgk2m9 Před 4 lety +1

    "A lesson is learned, but the damage is irreversible"

  • @candeffect
    @candeffect Před 5 lety

    The number one reason for water heater early failure is too high temp setting. Keep the temp low enough to not have to add a lot of cold water for hot water use.
    My heater (in So. CA - very hard water) was made in 1987 and the anode rod was never changed and it still works as good as new.

    • @nickole4830
      @nickole4830 Před 5 lety

      Wow, I hope mine is still good. It's older than......well it's old.

  • @georgeschmunk6537
    @georgeschmunk6537 Před 7 lety +31

    I was haunted by another serious problem you never discussed that is also fairly common; "electrolysis". I had to replace all the pipe in my basement because a simple dielectric fitting was not installed between the galvanized supply line to the copper supply line in the house. We were on spring water.

    • @richmondhillsangat
      @richmondhillsangat Před 6 lety +1

      good point , i have copper to vertical galv steel pipe, and i always wonders what that green stuff is leaking out with water leaks.

    • @jamescalifornia2964
      @jamescalifornia2964 Před 6 lety

      George Schmunk I think brass is dead and makes good dielectric connection ?

    • @johnbecich9540
      @johnbecich9540 Před 6 lety +1

      Di-electric isolator slows down that huge problem but doesn't solve it. Get rid of ALL the steel fresh water pipes, on your property. The only place you cannot do that is the inside of the hot water tank, which is glass-lined steel fortified by the sacrificial anode.

    • @Poodlesofredlands
      @Poodlesofredlands Před 6 lety

      George Schmunk did your Insurance cove It or did u have to come out of pocket

    • @krakenthrottle2199
      @krakenthrottle2199 Před 6 lety

      Your plumber took you for a ride. a non-dielectric union on your tank won't do much damage at all to your copper water lines, it will however fail much sooner than the dielectric fitting and start leaking. Generally hot water tanks nowadays will last about 10 years so most of the time the cheaper non-dielectric union will still outlast the tank either way even if it is against plumbing code in this case. In the video that hot water tank was rusting for years after that rod was spent and even then they only had to replace a bit of the pipe running on a horozontal.

  • @farmerdave7965
    @farmerdave7965 Před 7 lety +96

    Hot water heater ?
    I have a cold water heater.

    • @tripjet999
      @tripjet999 Před 7 lety +13

      That's right. No need to heat hot water!

    • @bcubed72
      @bcubed72 Před 7 lety +4

      +Farmer Dave
      Why would you need a "cold water heater?!" Does your utility deliver ice to your house?

    • @andrewb.9414
      @andrewb.9414 Před 7 lety

      Farmer Dave why do you have a cold water heater

    • @skoronesa1
      @skoronesa1 Před 7 lety +9

      I just have a water heater.

    • @bababooey7576
      @bababooey7576 Před 7 lety +4

      Hot water doesn't need to be heated, cold does.

  • @TheEulerID
    @TheEulerID Před 5 lety +2

    Hot water storage tanks in the UK are either copper (for unpressurised) or stainless steel (for pressurised). I don't think coated steel ones are allowed.

    • @98dizzard
      @98dizzard Před 5 lety

      We do however use enamelled steel expansion tanks/vessels for unvented cylinders, when these fail they can dump rust into the system.

    • @TheEulerID
      @TheEulerID Před 5 lety

      @@98dizzard I've never seen an enamelled one, but I do recall galvanised, and they certainly can rust. These days they have surely almost all been replaced.

    • @98dizzard
      @98dizzard Před 5 lety

      @@TheEulerID All potable water expansion cylinders I'm aware of are enamelled. I know, I just had to replace one.

    • @TheEulerID
      @TheEulerID Před 5 lety

      @@98dizzard potable ones? As far as I'm aware, domestic drinking water in the UK is almost invariably direct mains and not stored. In that there are potable water tanks available, all the ones I see available seem to be plastic, grp or the equivalent and not enamelled steel.

  • @123kkambiz
    @123kkambiz Před 6 lety

    That was good information about copper pipe corrosion due to water heater.

  • @jayyoutube8790
    @jayyoutube8790 Před 7 lety

    Just had this same problem fixed the other day... Amazing

  • @woohunter1
    @woohunter1 Před 7 lety +3

    I love my Navien tankless, 1 liter buffer tank, all stainless steel, no anode rod to make my well water smell like rotten eggs, approximate 20 year life expectancy, very efficient, and endless hot water, it was rather expensive but pay now, or pay later.

    • @Species-lj8wh
      @Species-lj8wh Před 5 lety +1

      and pay constantly to descale that tankless system,

  • @SpinyNormanDinsdale
    @SpinyNormanDinsdale Před 7 lety +6

    When plumbing a new Unit, could you flush out the cold water lines of flux by temporarily hooking up the Water Heater to them and running everything for a few minutes? I know it'd be a bit strange to run your Garden Hose, Toilet (or Bidet! OUCH!) But it sounds like that might be a good proactive solution to a future problem. Especially if you don't know how much flux your plumber used!

    • @BenjaminEsposti
      @BenjaminEsposti Před 6 lety +2

      Yes, and also use water soluble flux.
      Some older fluxes weren't really soluble in water so they would just sit there and cause corrosion.

    • @ceejaijones6146
      @ceejaijones6146 Před 6 lety +1

      Running hot water through your toilet and bidet could cause them to crack.

    • @MrBblhed
      @MrBblhed Před 6 lety

      Running hot water to a toilet will cause it to not sweat.

  • @bababooey7576
    @bababooey7576 Před 7 lety

    i was told to clean the ground for the pipes and buy a new clamps to ensure maximum protection. house about 45 years old. certainly can't hurt , i'm thinking

  • @fleetwin1
    @fleetwin1 Před 6 lety

    Very interesting indeed....Will replace the anode rod tomorrow...

  • @paidda
    @paidda Před 5 lety +1

    How’d they halve those tubes?

  • @dennishassler605
    @dennishassler605 Před 3 lety +1

    I have very hard water, so I'm replacing water heaters every few years. The water is so hard that it cannot be treated - the water softener seems to help by maybe 25%

    • @GraniteQuarrier
      @GraniteQuarrier Před 3 lety

      You have to regenerate the water more often and go through the salt more.

  • @richardtillett9950
    @richardtillett9950 Před 3 lety

    Its called reactivity of Different materials if I am right the iron will react with copper and that's why copper ends up a small hole

  • @wheresbicki
    @wheresbicki Před 7 lety +5

    It's amazing how TOH will have amazingly informative videos like this one while also producing some terrible ones.

  • @cranium33333
    @cranium33333 Před 6 lety +4

    Love watching sales men try to explain physics!! It is absolutely hilarious!

  • @tgamirov
    @tgamirov Před 3 lety

    This is an outstanding video. Thank you very much.

  • @benji1583
    @benji1583 Před 8 lety +2

    This was very informative thank you guys !!

  • @klmabon
    @klmabon Před 7 lety +12

    This video neglects another source of copper pipe corrosion - 'aggressive' (acidic) water. Most of southern CT has acidic ground water. If not neutralized, copper pipes get dissolved and sinks, tubs, and toilets turn green as the copper redeposits.
    Most homes in Southern CT with their own wells have neutralizers (filled/replenished with Calcite) that neutralizes water and stops this corrosion.

    • @jasoncampbell172
      @jasoncampbell172 Před 7 lety

      Contra Videos + If you watch "Ask this old house" they cover that in a different episode. Everyone should test there water in there homes.

    • @ohger1
      @ohger1 Před 6 lety +1

      Yep Contra; same with me. I'm ripping out all the plumbing of my 1993 Colonial for low pH pinholes. Sucks but hey...

    • @augustreil
      @augustreil Před 6 lety +1

      That's great. I live in central Ct and have a well. I wonder what is happening to my pipes ?

    • @ohger1
      @ohger1 Před 6 lety +1

      If you're getting pinhole leaks in copper pipes, your pH is probably too low. You can add a pH correction tank to your well system or go to a full water softener system. If you're getting pinholes though, the rest of your remaining pipes are time bombs. After doing an exhaustive research, I'm replacing all my copper with Pex A from Uponor. I live in a suburb of Waterbury.

    • @timothymyers3072
      @timothymyers3072 Před 6 lety

      In the Video they briefly talked about Water Chemistry, but nobody else in his neighborhood seemed to have the same corrosion problem as he did.

  • @thaitichi
    @thaitichi Před 8 lety +6

    What a great video!

  • @chicagowsox212
    @chicagowsox212 Před 4 lety +1

    Love this show and the people on and behind the scenes. The lighting and production have gotten 100 times better over past few years. I don’t expect the new shows being filmed in 2020 to be quite the same as they’ve been, unfortunately

  • @hvacker4194
    @hvacker4194 Před 4 lety

    There is a process of coating existing piping. The problem is it costs a lot. Some say as much as the plumbing's original cost.

  • @sajidullah
    @sajidullah Před 8 lety +1

    Good Info. Thanks

  • @centurionhomeinspectionsin2253

    Copper is the most noble of all the metals here. Having had to deal with galvanic corrosion in naval environments, I don’t buy it was the iron-at least alone. I’m betting the water is acidic and it’s a well. The inside of that water heater (NOT a hot water heater) is horrific. The glass lining should stop some of this, but that’s not just an anode failure-some was left.
    Funny how we never heard from the “engineer” with the results. I’m a PE and I’d love to see the actual report.

  • @ml9633
    @ml9633 Před 2 lety

    Wow ! I'm in this right now grrr. Thank you, Maurice :)

  • @wtl2247
    @wtl2247 Před 5 lety +2

    'The new pipe was installed and at the water line there are rows of pits'. Wouldn't the water pipe be completely full of water with no air, ie. no 'water line'?

  • @Firedog-ny3cq
    @Firedog-ny3cq Před rokem

    And PEX pipe eliminates this problem and many other issues with copper pipe altogether.

  • @OOEarth
    @OOEarth Před 7 lety

    Very good segment guys!!

  • @paultrigger3798
    @paultrigger3798 Před 7 lety +4

    "High velocity erosion corrosion"
    I want to be a plumbing scientist now.

    • @JustinCrediblename
      @JustinCrediblename Před 6 lety

      8 ft/sec copper. 100 ft/sec stainless.

    • @ibealion1
      @ibealion1 Před 3 lety

      *sigh* the picture of a hair on my screen gets me every time! I'm going to find a picture of a booger and comment back here.

  • @passedhighschoolphysics6010

    Nice video. I hope they do a video on how cheaply hot waters heaters are made. Just look at the reviews in HomeDepot, they are designed to last about 4-6 years. Even the ones with a 12 year warranty. HomeDepot owns FAST plumbing service and makes over $1 billion a year replacing hot water heaters. GE, Rheem, AO Smith they all are designed to be replaced in 5 years.

  • @SuperSaltydog77
    @SuperSaltydog77 Před 7 lety

    I have this very problem with a leak developed on the bottom side of a copper pipe that is used for an outdoor faucet only in the warmer months (April thru November).

  • @lkdsjflskdfj
    @lkdsjflskdfj Před 8 lety +1

    Anyone know which season / episode this is? Or if the start and end of the episode are available? Seems to be cut off, and I'd like to see those.

  • @XzTS-Roostro
    @XzTS-Roostro Před 8 lety +91

    Ugh, 4:3 aspect ratio forced into 16:9
    That's illegal!

    • @thebeststooge
      @thebeststooge Před 6 lety

      Yeah, ouch it makes everything seem like they are Munchkins and in Munchkinland.

  • @posinker
    @posinker Před rokem

    Gotcha and so if water is tested, reveals iron, further evidence from copper piping suggests putting or corrosion, then replace all contaminated/damaged copper piping.

  • @LarryC213
    @LarryC213 Před 7 lety +1

    What about using ductile water lines inside the home? Rich didn't mention that as an option.

  • @workingshlub8861
    @workingshlub8861 Před 7 lety +1

    the apartment complex i work at was built in 1972... half with type M copper....other half with type L. we get about 2-3 pinhole leaks a month in the M buildings....been here 4 years not one leak in the L buildings. time for a repipe but the owner just wants to keep patching.

    • @JustinCrediblename
      @JustinCrediblename Před 6 lety

      it sucks when the building isn't engineered for utilities maintenance. most homes are that way. we build homes with ridiculous practices.

  • @HarrisWaterandSewer
    @HarrisWaterandSewer Před 3 lety

    Always a good video to watch!

  • @JeremeyHowlett
    @JeremeyHowlett Před 9 měsíci

    I think it’s possible that if there is a stray current from the electrical system running through the copper piping, it will speed up the corrosion process with the iron flakes.

  • @kareno8634
    @kareno8634 Před 6 lety +1

    Thanks very much!
    Every Time I watch plumbing info I Understand more of an 'area', even though I've read about it So Many times. i do Not like plumbing - a job that Must be perfect =\

  • @thomasbroking7943
    @thomasbroking7943 Před 6 lety +1

    there are guys putting on flux like its glue...the brush has enough flux on it when you wite it off with a rag..such a light coat

  • @edwinwilkerson6051
    @edwinwilkerson6051 Před 5 lety

    great video thanks..please make more

  • @rockyethridge7272
    @rockyethridge7272 Před 4 lety

    I would love to work with those guys. Great Video

  • @tonymak9213
    @tonymak9213 Před 3 lety

    Can't listen to people talking about "sodder" joints. I'm out, anyway, I've already changed my plumbing for welded jointed plastic pipe, and the only copper used is for butane gas. The pipe work done is by an apprentice trained British Gas engineer, who was careful to use a minimum of flux and sol-der, and pipes insulated from touching any bare brick/concrete, (very important, can cause pitting from corrosion).

  • @juliosdiy3206
    @juliosdiy3206 Před 6 lety

    Wow something i never knew, thnks guys. Could this cause pipes to burst at the sauder points also?

  • @kuzadupa185
    @kuzadupa185 Před 2 lety

    I suppose you could temporarily hook up the cold line to the hot water and run the water to clear put flux?

  • @TallTexasGMan
    @TallTexasGMan Před 6 lety

    Replace the Anode? Is that even possible on residential water heaters? Large commercial and industrial sure possibly. Especially in a boiler unit, but there is no access on my unit and I have a GE GeoSpring heat pump type.

  • @greggphillips2607
    @greggphillips2607 Před 9 lety

    Example shown of corrosion due to stagnant water in pipes for "several months". Does this mean that baseboard hot water pipes should be cleared after each winter, or does the summer and fall months not constitute "several months"?

  • @brandonroe7334
    @brandonroe7334 Před 6 lety

    in north east Indiana, if you leave an anode rod installed in the country (a well system) your water will smell like rotten eggs. they didn't mention that lovely tid bit of info.

  • @loftsatsympaticodotc
    @loftsatsympaticodotc Před 5 lety +1

    Wow, that was impressively useful information. We have 15 electric water heater tanks in one building alone; this was great information. Sacrificial anodes? Prepare to see the light of day (again)... :-)

  • @gregcrabb3497
    @gregcrabb3497 Před 4 lety +1

    What about corrosive water that's softened by a water softener???

  • @patricka.9982
    @patricka.9982 Před 7 lety

    we had a water heater installed in 1996 and never chnaged rods...then this year water heater leaked everywhere, then we got a new water heater.

  • @mj625
    @mj625 Před 2 měsíci

    Is it safe to say that PEX eliminates this problem?

  • @pjwoo276
    @pjwoo276 Před 2 lety

    I wonder how long it takes for the hot water to melt away the sloppy solder ?
    Might be worth running very Hot water thru your cold pipes for some amount of time to accomplish that melting away process.

  • @Joycezg
    @Joycezg Před 4 lety +2

    This was interesting, but I am having a hard time finding the answer to my question: We have copper pipes with corrosion on many of the fittings and valves. Should these fittings be changed, or should the adjacent pipes also be changed? I can not cut the pipe open to take a look, and I imagine the average person can not do that.

    • @Patrick-c8x
      @Patrick-c8x Před 4 lety

      I wouldn't worry about it until it's a problem -its takes years like he said -- then at that point I'd go with PEX --

    • @daversj
      @daversj Před 3 lety

      It could be that the copper joint was never cleaned after soldering and you will see some green oxide. It can be cleaned with steel wool. That is best case.
      More likely is your water pH is bad. If you see white oxides at the joints it is likely the brass getting eaten by the water. If you get green film in sink or bath fixtures that is your copper pipes being dissolved by the water. Bad water ph needs to be corrected or it will eat all the pipes, fixtures, and water heater. Tankless water heaters are very susceptible to bad water conditions and might only last a few years. Get your water tested.

  • @szargos
    @szargos Před rokem

    So what do you do if the water heater anode rod has not been changed in 10 years? Have your water tested? Then what??? What's the end fix?

  • @lcaunan
    @lcaunan Před 3 lety

    What is the fix?
    Did they replace all the copper pipes in the house?

  • @asaddst.9926
    @asaddst.9926 Před 9 měsíci

    if we use copper pipe for pc liquid cooling will it corrosion/rust?