Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Copper oxide removal from home plumbing
Q. I have heavy copper oxide on my basement plumbing that cannot be removed with any of the "over the counter" cleaners available. I'm retired but did work in industry where bright Dips were used to clean metal parts used in manufacturing. Is there anything that I can try without having to use mixtures of nitric and sulfuric acids.
Ed Craighome owner - Liverpool , New York
2004
A. Why clean it as it will just oxidize again. Fine sandpaper will work. Wet and dry paper used wet will work well.
James Watts- Navarre, Florida
2004
A. The cause is excessive moisture in the basement air condensing on the cold pipes.
DON'T sand these (I assume old) pipes. That will shorten their life, and if a leak is getting ready then sanding will make it happen.
Just rub any loose oxide, old flux, etc. off the pipes with a dry cloth. This does more harm than good for the life of the pipes, but they'll look better. Then either solve the moist air problem or spray paint the pipes. Don't use clear varnish as this will confuse the plumber who repairs them 30 years from now.
Howard Chaseplumber - Vancouver, Canada
2004
Thank to Howard Chase and James Watts.
- Liverpool, New York
2004
A. Use BPS-172 from Air Products.
Jaspreet Gandhi- Boise, ID, USA
March 11, 2008
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