Blue flakes coming out of new hot water cylinder

ywlgy

Hi,
Plumbers came to replace my hot water cylinder due to blockage issues yesterday. Since then there are constantly small blue flakes coming out of hot water tap. Once squeezed these flakes become powders. The cylinder is brand new so should not have corrosion. The pipes are still old ones. But I didn't have this issue before the replacement. Any ideas what they are and if harmful?

spadoosh

It will be corrosion. We used to have them for sale in B&Q issue being they never sold. So they would sit there for years, usually with a bit of water in allowing it to corrode. Guessing its just been sat around for a while. 
Not really dangerous, just dont drink from the hot water tap, which you wouldnt anyway. 

ywlgy

spadoosh said:

It will be corrosion. We used to have them for sale in B&Q issue being they never sold. So they would sit there for years, usually with a bit of water in allowing it to corrode. Guessing its just been sat around for a while. 
Not really dangerous, just dont drink from the hot water tap, which you wouldnt anyway. 

Thanks for replying. You mean the new cylinder is already corroded? The label says it was manufactured last week. I was expecting a better quality

FreeBear

spadoosh said: Not really dangerous, just dont drink from the hot water tap, which you wouldnt anyway. 

Assuming the flakes are indeed the result of corrosion within the copper pipework, ingesting them can cause problems. Copper and their salts can lead to liver & kidney damage, birth defects, mental health issues, and so on. Copper is also toxic to aquatic life, so along with other metal salts, should never be put down the drain untreated.

Fortunately, the levels of copper that are needed before it becomes toxic is relatively high.and the human body requires trace amounts to remain healthy. But still not a good idea to drink from a hot tap - You have no idea what other metals may have leached in to the water..

ywlgy

FreeBear said:

spadoosh said: Not really dangerous, just dont drink from the hot water tap, which you wouldnt anyway. 

Assuming the flakes are indeed the result of corrosion within the copper pipework, ingesting them can cause problems. Copper and their salts can lead to liver & kidney damage, birth defects, mental health issues, and so on. Copper is also toxic to aquatic life, so along with other metal salts, should never be put down the drain untreated.

Fortunately, the levels of copper that are needed before it becomes toxic is relatively high.and the human body requires trace amounts to remain healthy. But still not a good idea to drink from a hot tap - You have no idea what other metals may have leached in to the water..

Yep that's my major concern. I definitely won't drink it. Only use it for dish washing, teeth/face cleaning. I am just curious this thing can still happen with a new cylinder.

-taff

Not the cylinder, the pipework that was not replaced. Just run it for a bit it'll stop eventually.

Doozergirl

It can happen in new installations.  They could have used a bit too much flux. It will flush through soon. 

 As before, don't drink out of the hot tap! 

lees80

It'll be a residue of flux from the installation. It will stop coming through shortly.