2016
Search waterheatertimer.org / all results
Search using Find button  

 Tweet button  

Water pipe erosion

Water pipe erosion can cause copper pipe to fail\

Typically copper pipe is rated to last 50 years.
But copper pipe can fail due to erosion
brass elbow and nipple

Connecting copper pipe to galvanized pipe does not damage copper pipes.

But will cause galvanized pipes to deteriorate
Always use brass pipe when connecting copper and galvanized together
Prevent electrolytic corrosion/ deterioration of galvanized pipes and clogs
Use 6 wraps teflon tape on threads
Buy:
Brass nipples at Amazon
Brass elbows at Amazon
Resource:
Low hot water pressure.

Causes of erosion

-Failed anode rod can cause erosion on hot pipe when iron gathers in low spots on pipe. Replace anode rod... inspect each 3 years. Replace damaged pipe.
Resource:
Inspect and replace anode rod

-Water quality can affect erosion. have hot and cold tested separately.

-Water speed can cause erosion: Install pressure reducing valve, and expansion tank, re-install smaller recirculation pump.
Resources:
Pressure reducing valve and manuals
Recirculation pumps and flow charts for selecting pump

-Turbulence can cause erosion: Pump can cause air bubbles inside the water line. Install air vent

-Turbulence can cause erosion: If copper tubes were not reamed to remove rough spots before soldering. Take apart pipe, cut in half, and examine.
Resource:
How to solder copper pipe

Green corrosion at faucet

Blue-green sediment at the bottom of water heater

Copper-infused scale deposits within our hot water system
I clean various fixtures by soaking them in CLR to remove deposits and I am surprised by the speed at which they re-form and that they clearly show signs of copper oxide (again blue-green).
Our water, while hard (we have a softener), is not particularly high in copper. So the copper must be coming from the interior of our pipes and this "erosion" worries me.


Our recirculation system is running a Taco 006 pump on 1/2" pipe and in doing some research I found a copper industry handbook that says the flow rate in our pipes to avoid erosion/damage should be significantly lower (half as much) as what we are getting from the Taco 006.

Answer
The simple solution would be turn off (or remove) pump and see if green reappears at faucet.
This would include or eliminate pump as suspect.

Replace pump would be next simplest solution.... but costly as you said.
Soldering pipe is straighforward, even for beginner... of course you have to buy torch and solder.
How-to-solder-pipes.html

Plumbing resources:

How-to-replace-TP-valve.html
Advantages-disadvantages-mixing-valve.html
TP-valve-code.html
How-to-replace-water-heater-drain-valve.html
Repair-water-heater-valve.html
Water-heater-leak-shut-off-valve.html
How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html
Water-heater-recirculation-system.html
Tempering-tank.html
Stacking.html
How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html
How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html
Flooded-water-heater.html
Plumbing-Vents.html
Particles-in-water.html
Not-enough-hot-water-for-bath.html
How-to-remove-short-water-heater-nipple.html
Low-hot-water-pressure.html
New-water-heater-making-noise.html
Replace-anode-rod.html
 
Use 6 wraps teflon tape
? White for water lines
? Yellow for gas lines

Buy:
Teflon tape at Amazon

Buy:
Pipe wrench at Amazon
Channel locks

Resources:
How to remove rusted element


Buy:
Knipex channel locks
Irwin pliers
replace anode rod
Inspect anode each 2-5 years
Anode rod prevents tank from rusting
Buy:
Anode rods at Amazon

Resources:
Replace anode rod
How to maintain water heater

Buy:
Impact wrench at Amazon

Resources:
Replace anode rod
How to remove short water heater nipple
Water pressure gauge

Pressure gauge/ attach to water heater drain valve
Pressure over 80 psi can damage water heater and household plumbing
Buy:
Water pressure gauge
Temperature-pressure gauge

Resources:
Identify water heater valves
Troubleshoot water pressure
Automatic water heater shut off valve
Prevent flood
Automatic water shut off valve
Buy:
Water detectors at Amazon
Automatic water heater leak shut off at Amazon
Resources:
Leaking water heater/ steps
Pressure reducing valve
Pressure reducing valve
Pressure over 80 psi can damage water heater and household plumbing
Buy:
Pressure reducing valve

Resources:
Identify water heater valves
Troubleshoot water pressure
Sharkbite pressure gauge
Sharkbite pressure gauge

Buy:
Sharkbite pressure gauge

Resources:
Water heater valves

Water heater circulation system

Buy:
Grundfos at Amazon

Resources:
How to install recirculation system
COLD side Sharkbite flexible water heater connector
COLD side Sharkbite flexible water heater connector

Buy:
Sharkbite water heater connection
Braided water heater line
Stainless steel flexible connection

Resources:
How to install electric water heater
How to install gas water heater
Leaking water heater
HOT side Sharkbite flexible water heater connector
HOT side Sharkbite flexible water heater connector

Buy:
Sharkbite water heater connection
Braided water heater line
Stainless steel flexible connection
Braided water heater line
Flexible water heater connection

Resources:
How to install electric water heater
How to install gas water heater
Leaking water heater
89T thermostat kit
Electric water heater thermostats
Thermostats stick melt and come out of calibration... replace thermostat
Symptoms: Cold water, uneven temperatures, reset tripping, TP releasing water
Buy:
Water heater thermostats at Amazon

Resources:
How to replace electric water heater thermostat
Add another thermostat to water heater
How to wire thermostats
Marathon water heater thermostats
Two water heaters
Troubleshoot electric water heater
Icon gas valve   
Gas water heater thermostats
If tank is overheating or not heating correctly, replace thermostat
Symptoms: Cold water, uneven temperatures, TP releasing water
Buy:
Gas water heater thermostats at Amazon

Resources:
How to replace gas water heater thermostat
Add another thermostat to water heater
Troubleshoot gas water heater
Support the economy:
Buy water heaters from my associate links:

50 gallon Gas water heaters at Amazon
40 gallon gas water heaters at Amazon
50 gallon Electric water heaters at Amazon
40 gallon electric water heaters at Amazon
Hybrid / heat pump/ water heaters at Amazon

Resources:
How to install gas water heater
How to install electric water heater
Troubleshoot gas water heater
Troubleshoot electric water heater
Point of use water heaters
Resources:
Troubleshoot Gas valves with manuals
Icon gas valve

How to replace water heater element Waste King disposal
How to wire tankless electric


Install point of use water heater
Titan tankless

Contactors/ relays
Type 1 and type 2 surge protection surge protection
Programmable timers

Woods timers
surge protection
Anode rods anode rods
Recirculation system

Tankless recirculation
Point of use water heater
Install and troubleshoot garbage disposal Waste King disposal
Buy
Electronic parts

Industrial supplies

Tools and home improvement

Home and garden

Hayward pool
Pentair pool

Southwire electric
Buy
Tools

DEWALT
Black and Decker
Stanley
SKIL
Makita
Porter-Cable
Bosch

Irwin Hand tools
Klein hand tools
Fluke electrical testing
Dremel hobby tools

Campbell Hausfeld air powered
Tekton automotive

Powerbuilt automotive
Saws and saw blades
box timers Resource:
Compare box timers
DPDT timers
Intermatic
Control water heater w/ Z-wave
Intermatic control centers Resource:
Intermatic control centers: and parts
Digital control centers and parts
Tork control centers and parts
Subpanels
All control centers and parts
Enclosures
programmable timer Resource:
Programmable timers
Countdown timers
Off delay timers
On delay timers
Timer modules
Din rail
Twin & one-shot
Woods
Intermatic
Tork
Low voltage power packs Recirculation systems
Buy from my affiliate links every time/ thanks:
Amazon
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Enter Amazon from any link on my site, fill cart with any item ... purchases pay small commission

E-mail: geno03245w@gmail.com
My response might end up in spam folder, check email folders
Waterheatertimer on Twitter
Message thru facebook