Some corrosion in galvanized / copper connection: big deal?
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Some corrosion in galvanized / copper connection: big deal?
This is for a 80-year old house with some plumbing original galvanized and some parts copper. As you can see in the attached photo, there is some corrosion in a galvanized / copper connection in some exposed pipes of the basement ceiling. (The photo should be rotated 90 degrees - the lines are parallel to the ceiling). This is likely due to a lack of a dielectric union. The copper pipe was installed 7 years ago. The rust is in the paint film of the galvanized (painted white). There is no leak at all.
I am aware that, ideally, the copper pipe should probably be removed an a dielectric union should probably be used. But I don't really want to mess with the (slightly corroded) t : I am concerned that it might have a cascading effect. I do NOT want to change the galvanized, for many reasons. I am doing a minor renovation in the basement, and I might construct a soffit that will hidden these pipes and others. Fwiw, I might move in a couple of years.
A plumber who quickly looked at it told me I will have issues with the general old galvanized system before I have a problem with this connection -- so, to Bielefeld f
Is this a big deal? What is a reasonable solution? Scrap the rust, paint and hope that it will last for years? Or something more drastic? ( I am on a strict nugget so I would prefer an economical, but correct, solution.). If I build the soffit, would the corrosion be an issue? Can I preventively use some epoxy putty around this connection particularly if I decide to build a soffit that will " conceal" this connection (even thought the soffits was not conceived to hide anything)?
I am aware that, ideally, the copper pipe should probably be removed an a dielectric union should probably be used. But I don't really want to mess with the (slightly corroded) t : I am concerned that it might have a cascading effect. I do NOT want to change the galvanized, for many reasons. I am doing a minor renovation in the basement, and I might construct a soffit that will hidden these pipes and others. Fwiw, I might move in a couple of years.
A plumber who quickly looked at it told me I will have issues with the general old galvanized system before I have a problem with this connection -- so, to Bielefeld f
Is this a big deal? What is a reasonable solution? Scrap the rust, paint and hope that it will last for years? Or something more drastic? ( I am on a strict nugget so I would prefer an economical, but correct, solution.). If I build the soffit, would the corrosion be an issue? Can I preventively use some epoxy putty around this connection particularly if I decide to build a soffit that will " conceal" this connection (even thought the soffits was not conceived to hide anything)?
#2
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I'm not the plumbing pro but I know there isn't any way of stopping the corrosion with paint or putty.
I'm not the plumbing pro but I know there isn't any way of stopping the corrosion with paint or putty.
#3
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Well, you can see how much corrosion has occurred over 7 years. It even looks like the rust is not at the junction between the two different metals. It could be a simple case of the steel fitting not being properly cleaned & primed before painting. Also, water based latex house paint will do little to prevent corrosion on metal. Use a quality oil based primer and paint for metal on the galvanized, then you can top coat it with house paint to make it match the wall.
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Thanks for your replies (and my apologies for the typos in my original post -- combination of phone auto correct and late time).
Yes, the corrosion is not at the exact joint but within the area of the "T". Is that good news?
I think I will start in a conservative way -- sand, prime and paint and then see what happens -- and take further action if / when needed. I was planning to have someone build the soffits in a couple of weeks as part of a larger (light) basement remodeling. The same contractor can also take care of the corrosion issue. Would it be wiser to not build the soffits at this point and wait to see how this corrosion issue develops? I am undecided about building them, and this plumbing issue is a factor in my decision. If a (properly done) repair will be enough for many years, I wonder if I should do that now and let a future owner deal with a more permanent solution a decade from now or so.
Yes, the corrosion is not at the exact joint but within the area of the "T". Is that good news?
I think I will start in a conservative way -- sand, prime and paint and then see what happens -- and take further action if / when needed. I was planning to have someone build the soffits in a couple of weeks as part of a larger (light) basement remodeling. The same contractor can also take care of the corrosion issue. Would it be wiser to not build the soffits at this point and wait to see how this corrosion issue develops? I am undecided about building them, and this plumbing issue is a factor in my decision. If a (properly done) repair will be enough for many years, I wonder if I should do that now and let a future owner deal with a more permanent solution a decade from now or so.