I replaced my water installation some weeks ago. The copper pipes did not show build-up. I cut the pipe at the hydrofor to make it easier getting it up the stairs that was another story. I think it’s 45 years of build-up
I really like that copper colour, I’d love to have hair that colour. Don’t understand the pipes but but dammit good colour!
Just imagine how all the water you drink flows through there.
Yes, that is how the minerals deposit in the first place.
I do …
all the water you drink flows through there
That’s not the point… The water itself is! Where do you think the build-up comes from ?? However, we regularly send samples to a lab to ensure it’s healthy, and it is. I’m also a 100% sure the pipes from whichever water company has build-up in it too.
Hard water minerals like calcium and iron. It’s not harmful.
And a little bit of Al and Mg as well. All of those metals that could have been in your bottle or shower are now suck in the pipe walls. You’re really missing out.
Not anymore! Just get a spoon.
Spread it on crumpets for tea.
I used to have gravity fed water that got built up like that but we didn’t even filter the incoming water and that’s why. I’m guessing with you it’s hard water.
This build up can be the only thing keeping you from drinking lead too. I believe damage to the buildup due to a reduction in water additives was what happened in flint.
That is correct, the change in ph eroded the buildup in Flint which allowed the lead to start leeching into the water.
100% correct except it’s leaching.
No leeches were involved
It’s iron oxide. You need that to live.
That’s more than just a bit of rust bud.
Cmon, lick it! It’s for strong bones.
I would recommend you to talk with a hot plumber in your area, as they might tell you what’s causing the build-up.
Probably not helpful to you, but if someone has an issue with lime build-up:
but I live in a limestone-heavy place (also known as HARD water 🎸😎) and pipes are more choked than my heart arteries. That said, I tried many stuff (cleaning vinegar, cleaning vinegar + baking powder, specific products, etc.) and from all of them the best has been citric acid: There is a huge difference in quality between products, (not represented by price!) but by concentration, get the cleaning type not the food type.
What I do:
- Turn off the main and drain the lines. (Turn off all filtration stuff)
- Get a five-gallon mix in a bucket with warm or hot-ish water.
- Use a high-point access to let the solution in.
- Let it do its thing for a morning (e.g. 6 hours maybe but 4h also will do the trick).
- And then flush it, flush it GOOD.
For the hard stuff, there’s sulfamic acid, but so far I never needed it, and it is not so good for PVC or PEX. If someone is desperate and using PVC, muriatic acid can do wonders (and a lot of damage).
None of the plumbers in my area are sexy
Be the change you wish to see, that’s a market opportunity
All I have in my area are hot milfs, apparently.
Thnx, I’ll keep it in mind
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Is that a lead pipe?
It sounds like you already know it’s not unexpected or harmful but if it’s lead it’s especially positive lol.
lead pipe
Nope, iron (i think). Apparently It’s much more sensitive to build-up than the copper pipes.
Oh that makes perfect sense. Iron pipes have a useful life span. They slightly corrode grab on to minerals than corrode a bit more.
I have had to replace my piping and heard that they have around a 40 year service life. The pipes in my house were 70 years old.
Copper is more expensive, but doesn’t need to be replaced every 50 years.
If you have the chance to replace sections of pipe while the walls are open it makes sense to, otherwise just know it’s on the horizon and wait until you aren’t happy with the water pressure. It could be decades more before you notice a supply side issue. That pipe look beefy even with with restriction.
