Blue liquid on a water pipe in basement?
#1
03-23-18, 04:11 PM
Blue liquid on a water pipe in basement?
Today I spotted some "blue liquid" on a water pipe in the basement. There's none on the floor, but it's also dried on in sections around that same area. May have been happening for some time. What's going on? Call a plumber?
#2
03-23-18, 04:35 PM
Group Moderator
Blue liquid on a water pipe doesn't tell us much.
Is it water on a piece of copper pipe ?
The pipe will turn green/blue as it corrodes in the presence of water.
Have you checked for leaks ?
Is it water on a piece of copper pipe ?
The pipe will turn green/blue as it corrodes in the presence of water.
Have you checked for leaks ?
#3
03-24-18, 12:07 AM
No, haven't checked for leaks. This is a copper water pipe running across the joists in an unfinished basement and there's around 5 inches with water on it and it's tinted blue. To the left there's also some dried up blue 'stuff".
Could it be condensation instead of a leak? I don't see any water on the ground below it. Going to have to keep an eye on it. Maybe I should call a plumber? I have to call one to get some pipes ready for a small vanity sink anyways.
I looked up some pictures online of pinhole leaks and that must be it, but I would assume it's small since it's only drops of water on the pipe and if i remember they've been there for quite a while. Hopefully it's a very tiny pinhole leak. It's weird that I don't see any on the floor below it.
Could it be condensation instead of a leak? I don't see any water on the ground below it. Going to have to keep an eye on it. Maybe I should call a plumber? I have to call one to get some pipes ready for a small vanity sink anyways.
I looked up some pictures online of pinhole leaks and that must be it, but I would assume it's small since it's only drops of water on the pipe and if i remember they've been there for quite a while. Hopefully it's a very tiny pinhole leak. It's weird that I don't see any on the floor below it.
#4
03-24-18, 03:22 AM
Group Moderator
If the pipe is wet in one area then there is a leak. If the pipe were condensation then the entire pipe would be wet. I would fix the leak if you can find it and replace that section of pipe if you can't. A leak won't get better with time so I say fix it some time when you're boared instead of being faced with a unexpected leak in the middle of the night.
#7
03-24-18, 04:06 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
Good time to learn. You have been doing a lot so this is not hard for most. A couple of pictures will help us see if you should try. Your picture came in while I was typing. Wipe pipe with a rag and see if it drips. A couple of shark bite fittings and a section of copper pipe and you are good to go. I see about a 20 minute repair. With 2 hours of running to parts store.
#8
03-24-18, 04:51 AM
Member
Could be condensation on a cold line but that usually occurs in the summer.
The presence of the oxidation is not necessarily a bad thing as long as you can verify that you do not have a leak!
The presence of the oxidation is not necessarily a bad thing as long as you can verify that you do not have a leak!
#9
03-24-18, 05:09 AM
"Good time to learn. You have been doing a lot so this is not hard for most. A couple of pictures will help us see if you should try. Your picture came in while I was typing. Wipe pipe with a rag and see if it drips. A couple of shark bite fittings and a section of copper pipe and you are good to go. I see about a 20 minute repair. With 2 hours of running to parts store. "
Won't water shoot out of the pipe? I get nervous doing this type of stuff! I did put in a drain pipe upstairs, but that was easy.
Won't water shoot out of the pipe? I get nervous doing this type of stuff! I did put in a drain pipe upstairs, but that was easy.
#10
03-24-18, 05:24 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
If you can't find a shut off valve to that pipe shut water off to house. Can't tell for sure but looks like 3/4 copper pipe. You will need 2 shark bites fittings and a section of pipe. Don't know how much you can see but I would replace most of what you can see. You would need a pipe cutter.
https://www.lowes.com/pl/Pipe-cutter...rm=pipe+cutter
Like last 2 in first row. Sand off burrs, Will need enough room to pull down pipe to slip last coupling on.
Here is a page of videos on how to.
https://www.google.com/search?q=inst...firefox-b-1-ab
https://www.lowes.com/pl/Pipe-cutter...rm=pipe+cutter
Like last 2 in first row. Sand off burrs, Will need enough room to pull down pipe to slip last coupling on.
Here is a page of videos on how to.
https://www.google.com/search?q=inst...firefox-b-1-ab
#11
03-24-18, 05:30 AM
Originally Posted by pugsl
If you can't find a shut off valve to that pipe shut water off to house. Can't tell for sure but looks like 3/4 copper pipe. You will need 2 shark bites fittings and a section of pipe. Don't know how much you can see but I would replace most of what you can see. You would need a pipe cutter.
https://www.lowes.com/pl/Pipe-cutter...rm=pipe+cutter
Like last 2 in first row. Sand off burrs, Will need enough room to pull down pipe to slip last coupling on.
Here is a page of videos on how to.
https://www.google.com/search?q=inst...firefox-b-1-ab
https://www.lowes.com/pl/Pipe-cutter...rm=pipe+cutter
Like last 2 in first row. Sand off burrs, Will need enough room to pull down pipe to slip last coupling on.
Here is a page of videos on how to.
https://www.google.com/search?q=inst...firefox-b-1-ab
#12
03-24-18, 12:28 PM
Group Moderator
That does look like the pipe is leaking.
You could take some emery sandpaper and sand the bottom of the pipe. The idea is to remove the corrosion. If there is a leak.... the pipe will get wet at that point.
You could take some emery sandpaper and sand the bottom of the pipe. The idea is to remove the corrosion. If there is a leak.... the pipe will get wet at that point.
#13
03-24-18, 01:11 PM
I agree that cleaning it off with sandcloth or a green scrubby sponge is the first step, then dry it and keep an eye on it. My first thought was that it's residue from flux or over-fluxing.
#15
03-24-18, 08:10 PM
I dried it off this morning and now there's a fresh DROP of water underneath again. It's leaking I would say! I'm wondering if I may need a whole new pipe job. YIKES!
There the blue green residue in a lot of places on various pipes in the basement, but it's dry at those places, not wet. Most likely should have water tested too for acidity?
Good news is the residue is nothing like a lot of pictures I see online and there's no blue in sinks or anything. Water doesn't have a blue tint either.
I think I need to call a plumber pronto!
There the blue green residue in a lot of places on various pipes in the basement, but it's dry at those places, not wet. Most likely should have water tested too for acidity?
Good news is the residue is nothing like a lot of pictures I see online and there's no blue in sinks or anything. Water doesn't have a blue tint either.
I think I need to call a plumber pronto!
#16
03-24-18, 08:26 PM
Group Moderator
The water turns blue on the copper pipe in the presence of air and water.
Not enough air inside the pipe.
Since you've confirmed a pinhole. The pipe needs to be replaced. You may have more copper pipe that needs to be replaced.
Not enough air inside the pipe.
Since you've confirmed a pinhole. The pipe needs to be replaced. You may have more copper pipe that needs to be replaced.
#18
03-25-18, 05:58 PM
Short-fix, you can use some 'Rescue Tape'. It's sort of like a rubberized electrical tape that'll seal the pipe. I wouldn't consider it a permanent repair, but it'll keep you from worrying about it until you can get it fixed.
The problem with pinhole leaks is if you have one, you'll likely have more coming. It's worth checking the visible piping to see if there are any other areas showing oxidation.
The problem with pinhole leaks is if you have one, you'll likely have more coming. It's worth checking the visible piping to see if there are any other areas showing oxidation.
#19
03-25-18, 06:10 PM
There are other areas of very light "oxidation" on a few other pipes, but most, as far as I can tell look pretty clean. All the pipes that go up to the baseboard heaters also look really clean in my opinion. I should take some pictures to show. The good thing is is that 95 % of the pipes are visible in the basement, save for what must go up to the small bathroom upstairs and sink and to the base board heaters upstairs. It's a 900 sf 1971 built ranch with only 5 rooms upstairs.
I live in a "poor house". 2 bedroom, small bathroom, living room and kitchen and tiny sun room off a back patio.
I live in a "poor house". 2 bedroom, small bathroom, living room and kitchen and tiny sun room off a back patio.
