Green copper pipes, need to replace?

bungee316

Hi everyone,

I'm wanting to fit a new kitchen sink and tap. Looking under the sink where at the pipes where one of the replacement tap rails would be connected there is a lot of green build up. Do any plumbers know if this would be ok to connect the new tail to or does the pipe really need replaced as well? I'm looking to get a new kitchen in about 18 months so don't want to do too much work now that might just get ripped out in a year or so. Picture below and any advice greatly appreciated

Picture here https://www.dropbox.com/s/q6xo0ydykin32n4/photo%2018-02-2015%2016%2054%2005.jpg?dl=0

Owain_Moneysaver

I would replace down to and including the compression fitting, it looks quite badly corroded and disturbing the fitting it might not go back tightly. It will have to be worked on anyway as the taps will have to have isolation/service valves spliced into the pipework at some point.

bungee316

Ok thanks, there is an isolation valve further along the pipe work for the hot tap but not the cold.

Avoriaz

bungee316 wrote: »

Ok thanks, there is an isolation valve further along the pipe work for the hot tap but not the cold.

Use this job as an opportunity to fit one.

You are going to need to isolate the cold supply anyway to fit a new sink and tap.

Edit: Or perhaps the cold is mains fed and can be isolated via the stopcock.

jayyar66

It never ceases to amaze me when I see this. The green build up is caused by the flux used when soldering joints. It should be wiped off with a damp cloth but 9 times out of 10 it never is, and this is the result!! Just down to laziness and lack of care and attention to detail. :-(

Avoriaz

Jayyar, does that flux or green deposit do any damage or is it just unsightly?

Does it corrode the copper pipework?

molerat

It does eat into the pipe, the green is dissolved copper. In a couple of hundred years it may spring a leak

Just clean it off, something like Barkeeper's Friend is good if you want to get it really clean.