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What Happened Here?

Reblogger
Home Builder with Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 CSL#642819

 



Glenn has written several posts that are very interesting and explaining what he has seen. He uses photos to help explain what he is talking about.

This post discusses electrolysis, we see it a lot, but many of us do not know what we are looking at. This problem can lead to the shortened life of the equipment.

Check 

it out and comment on his posts!

 

 

 

 

 

Original content by Glenn Stewart...

At the top of a water heater, there are two pipe nipples (short lengths of pipe) for attaching

Corroded Pipe Nippleboth the cold water supply line and the outgoing hot water line.

In California (and maybe in other states), the water lines are typically flexible copper pipe to meet earthquakes requirements.

Not to get too technical, but the steel pipe nipples and the flexible copper pipe are dissimilar metals... If allowed to touch each other without an insulating material (neutral) between them... electrolysis occurs (corrosion caused by dissimilar metals touching each other).

In the photo, flexible copper pipes were threaded onto steel pipe nipples.

It is unknown whether Teflon tape or plumbers pipe thread compound was used between the copper pipe nipple and steel fitting... Or if a plastic insulator in the threading nut was compromised.

The result of not having a insulator was electrolysis, or corrosion between the two dissimilar metals: steel and copper. As the corrosion progressed, water seepage occurred and the result is shown above.

This was a 3 year old water heater, that was replaced. Had the plumbing been installed correctly, the water heater may have lasted 12-15 years on the average.

Glenn Stewart, a.k.a. The House Whisperer www.TheHouseWhispererBlog.com

Member of Pacific Coast Inspections, Inc.  www.pacificinspect.com

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Comments (2)

David Gibson CNE, 719-304-4684 ~ Colorado Springs Relocation
Colorado Real Estate Advisers LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Relocation, Luxury & Lifestyle residential

Looks like the vent stack isn’t sitting correctly either which means a room full of CO. Bad news.

Dec 20, 2011 11:44 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

CO gases can be a bad thing David, thanks for the input.

Dec 21, 2011 05:03 AM