Charles Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 Good afternoon. Posted same over on ASHI Forum but am interested to hear this groups opinion. Home was built is 2000-2001. Wood frame structure with plaster stucco wall cladding. Main distribution system is located at garage. No on site chemical storage. No swimming pool. What could be the cause of the black patina on the expose copper in the main distribution center? Thanks in advance. Charles Gifford Click to Enlarge 89.09 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottpat Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 It looks like it the neutrals have more than the grounds. By chance does the house have a well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Jones Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 Could it be Chinese drywall? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 Rob has a point. The Chinese Drywall issue didn't begin with Hurricanes Katrina & Rita (August & Sept of 05'). The two hurricanes served only to increase imports of the contaminated products and bring it into prominence. Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Jones Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 OK, so I actually went and looked this up. It appears it could very well be caused by Chinese drywall. Here is the link to some information from the Florida department of Health. http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/ ... ition.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 This shows up on a number of posts in various forums, the "why is the copper black?" question. It always seems to go to corrosive atmospheres; Chinese drywall, battery charging locations, lawn fertilizer stored near panel, etc., etc. I'd be looking for the corrosive agent...since it's Florida, i'd certain be considering Chinese drywall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Maxwell Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 The suspect dates for Chinese drywall are 2004 - 2008. I guess it could have had some installed in a remodel or an addition... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Jones Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 According to that link I posted and the legal site, it can be an issue dating back to 2001. It appears homes that were remodeled/built between 2001-1009 are the ones that may be effected(especially the Florida area). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 Good afternoon. Posted same over on ASHI Forum but am interested to hear this groups opinion. Home was built is 2000-2001. Wood frame structure with plaster stucco wall cladding. Main distribution system is located at garage. No on site chemical storage. No swimming pool. What could be the cause of the black patina on the expose copper in the main distribution center? Thanks in advance. Charles Gifford At some time in the past, the copper was exposed to an airborne corrosive chemical. That's about all that you can say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 Charles, I have chased blackened copper for several years and have no common cause. The only thing we found was the copper typically was blackened, if the house was vacant, flooded basement and had a private septic system. None of those factors seem to apply to your situation. I agree with Jim K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Raymond Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 Good afternoon. Posted same over on ASHI Forum but am interested to hear this groups opinion. Home was built is 2000-2001. Wood frame structure with plaster stucco wall cladding. Main distribution system is located at garage. No on site chemical storage. No swimming pool. What could be the cause of the black patina on the expose copper in the main distribution center? Thanks in advance. Charles Gifford At some time in the past, the copper was exposed to an airborne corrosive chemical. That's about all that you can say. Some one was making meth in the garage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 Does the owner have a boat or any equipment that one would occasionaly need to remove the battery from and then re-charge it in the garage? ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kogel Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 The suspect dates for Chinese drywall are 2004 - 2008. I guess it could have had some installed in a remodel or an addition... I have read elsewhere that the contaminated Chinese drywall in the US could date back as far as 1999. Like you say, the garage walls may have been finished later. One clue to look for is the manufacturer's stamp on the back of the drywall sheets. I would take a look in the attic, pull back insulation and try to determine where the drywall came from. The other thing to do, I think, is to pull some switch and outlet covers in the living space and make see if the tarnish is isolated to the garage or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 More importantly, is it an issue? What are the consequences and what, if anything, should be done? Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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