Black copper cold water lines

[David P. Valley]

http://www.nachi.org/bbsystem/viewtopic.php?t=9454

[Marcel Gratton]

Originally Posted by rray

Until I find out otherwise, I'm sticking with the low electricity currents running continuously along the copper water pipes.

To Marcel Gratton:
Below is the response to Case No. 42438

Your question was: What would cause a cold copper water pipe to turn black?

Thanks

Response: THIS IS MOST LIKELY DUE TO CONTACT WITH A SULFUR COMPOUND AND SHOULD NOT BE INJURIOUS TO THE TUBE.

Your contact for this case is: Tony Rakich

http://www.copper.org/

[Russel Ray]

Key words there are "most likely."

Sulfur, and most sulfur compounds, are easily detectable with zee ol' nose, and if the concentrations are too high, can cause skin, eye, ear, nose, and throat irritation.

I'm sticking with electrical currents at low levels.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by mgratton

Response: THIS IS MOST LIKELY DUE TO CONTACT WITH A SULFUR COMPOUND AND SHOULD NOT BE INJURIOUS TO THE TUBE.

So this guy is stating that there was some sort of gas leak in the basement at one time?

What else can cause a sulphur build-up in the basement?

Maybe they had skunk issues?

[rwand1]

I think Roy Cooke is on the right track. It is an atmospheric condition caused by sulphur.

http://www.copper.org/applications/a.../finishes.html

http://www.copper.org/applications/a...ing_chart.html

[rwand1]

http://www.copper.org/applications/p...tube_fail.html

[Jerry Jensen]

I want to thank everyone for your opinions. This message board is one of the best tools we have. We may not always agree but it always gives a whole new perspective on how we look at causes and solutions to problems. Thanks again for your help.
Jerry

[Marcel Gratton]

Originally Posted by rwand1

I think Roy Cooke is on the right track. It is an atmospheric condition caused by sulphur.

"Urine residue is a water soluble and extremely hydroscopic urea salt (its simplest form is CO(NH2)2). It can actually suck moisture right out of the air. When urea salt becomes damp, it reacts with its surroundings and produces a gas called mercaptan (A sulfur-containing organic compound with the general formula RSH where R is any carbon based radical, S is sulphur and H is hydrogen. Often ethyl mercaptan, C2H5 SH.) is the smell that we associate with a urine contamination."

Above copied from: http://www.odorxit.com/FrameMain.php?OXInvestors

Below copied from: http://www2.msstate.edu/~rar7/testing.htm



Hope this helps

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by mgratton

"Urine residue is a water soluble and extremely hydroscopic urea salt (its simplest form is CO(NH2)2). It can actually suck moisture right out of the air. When urea salt becomes damp, it reacts with its surroundings and produces a gas called mercaptan (A sulfur-containing organic compound with the general formula RSH where R is any carbon based radical, S is sulphur and H is hydrogen. Often ethyl mercaptan, C2H5 SH.) is the smell that we associate with a urine contamination." Hope this helps

Marcel,

20 feet of black pipe with cat urine?

[Jerry Jensen]

Morning Guys and gals,
Within the next few days I am going to stop back at the home I inspected and ask the home owner about the chemicals he uses in his water softener. The water softener was located in the furnace room where the copper lines were most visible. I also am waiting for a response from a company that supplies and installs water softeners. Maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree but I will let you know if I find any grounds to support my theory. I've never seen a cat spray from floor to ceiling before but I'm finding out there are many things I have not seen before.
Keeping an open mind-Jerry
PS. When I said the water meter was also black, I didn't mention it was brass.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by dvalley

20 feet of black pipe with cat urine?

That's what I was thinking.

And considering that the pipe in my four units was about two feet off the ground in a crawlspace, the cat would have had to lay down on the ground, roll over, and shoot that pee like hell to get it all over every pipe in the crawlspace.

Nice kitty kitty.

I still haven't heard a better explanation than what the plumbers here provided me.

[Marcel Gratton]

Originally Posted by rray

And considering that the pipe in my four units was about two feet off the ground in a crawlspace, the cat would have had to lay down on the ground, roll over, and shoot that pee like hell to get it all over every pipe in the crawlspace.

Now that's funny Kitty Ray!

Must be a *Tom Cat* because they have better aim and pressure, perhaps David could confirm...

Seriously though, my previous post did read that cat urine reacts with its surrondings and produces a

*gas*...

[Doug J. Har]

I noticed on my water lines they are turning black,just noticed the problem this morning.I just recently had the hot water heater replaced in November and now I have noticed the lines are turning black.Am wondering if this a coincidence or if this maybe relate.Any opinions or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Richard L. Bennett]

Please check to see if it is a gas water heater that it is venting properly

Also check to see that there are no gas leaks

Me think it is not related to the new heater but to something else that has changed in the home

Why did the other heater need changing

If the new heater is electric is it pulling current through the cold water line?

Something might be wired wrong - this would also be related to poor recovery time

While many beleave that black water line are related to current flow I do not but it is worth checking

Current flow exists in copper in the electrical and telecom industry and the copper does not turn black, It will change color but not because of the current flow (to my knowledge)

rlb

[Michael Larson]

Sound familiar?