I was in the basement at Mom & Dad’s place the other day, and noticed some corrosion at some plumbing fittings.
This shot shows the overall view of the water filters. Look at the fitting to the top left.
Here’s a much closer view so you can see the corrosion.
This setup is maybe a year old. What could be in the well water that would cause corrosion that quick?
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Replies
I am not A PLUMBER so I am guessing this has more to do with the fact you have quite a collection of various metals there.
Also wonder what the long tall black gizmo is? UV purifier? Seems to have a current running to it.
Electrical field, plus water, plus differing metals = galvanic reactions.
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Edited 11/23/2009 6:47 am ET by Piffin
The tall thing to the left is a UV light.
While I am pretty confident my diagnosis is right, I don't know the best cure.Someone will be along though.
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It's mixing different metals. Notice that the unions elsewhere in the system are not so corroded.
Replace the brass unions with galvanized unions and the corrosion will be reduced.
Replace the brass unions with dielectric unions. Looks like ss to brass to galvanized.
another vote for the dielectric unions...
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There's a very slight seepage through the fittings, and what you see is hard water deposits. Nothing really to worry about, though you can see if you can get the unions tighter. (Shut off the water, loosen each union a quarter turn or so using two wrenches, then tighten a bit more than that.)
I will have to dis agree with everyone on this.
The close up photo shows the unit was installed with teflon tape only.
Take the unions a part, clean everything, even the threads the union halves are threaded on to.
Retape, then put a good pipe dope on the teflon and re assemble the fittings, putting pipe dope on the union threads and the contact face of the union. Tighten every thing well.
The problem was caused by a leak the minerals in the water eventualy plugged the leak.
Don't replace brass with galvanized, unless you want play a mean joke on someone.
Us a TFE paste like Rectorseal.
T plus 2 is a good one...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
"Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"
You disagree with me? (I'm shocked!)
A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It's a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity. --Jimmy Carter
I agree with those who blame the build-up shown in the pictures on a leak, not on galvanic corrosion.
Take it apart and look at the inside, and I think you'll see a clean passageway without any signs of corrosive action.
The blue-green build-up you see is typical of oxidation of brass due to its copper content.
Like others have said, that is simply condensation of minerals from a very slow leak, not corrosion.
Saw the same thing up by Cantrall on the camp well there (Sang. river bottoms), water so hard it tased like 50/50mix of sea water with CaClOx in it too. Light yellow in color even.
Part of the mineral deposits are likely due to years of nitrogen fertilizer.
The slight leaks in missile silos in ND would even form stellagtites and stalagmites due to the heavy mineral concentration.
Alwaya nice to get a clear, concise answer that everyone agrees on.(-:
Whatever you can't talk about is already out of control in your life.
At least nobody thinks it is bad water from the well!;)
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It's worth remembering that small pinhole leaks or seeps are the first sign of failure from galvanic corrosion. From several instances of personal experience with mt own well, I can assure you that brass/galvanized iron connections will fail. The only variable is the time it takes. No experience on the SS/brass combination.