Danny Pritchard Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 Found this today in a condo complex.I have been here several times before in other buildings and usually found only one water heater with this corrsion.In this room all the water heaters had this buidup.Any thoughts as to the cause.This is a 7 year old condo complex. Thanks Download Attachment: Condo WH corrosion0001.jpg 82.05 KB Download Attachment: Condo WH corrosion0002.jpg 70.08 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Fabry Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 It looks like it leaks (or has leaked) everywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n/a29 Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 Yeah, it looks like it is leaking or there is a leak elsewhere that is dripping on this part that is corroding because of it. I know that sounds too simple, but it is the only logical reason I can think of without seeing more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Pritchard Posted May 25, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 Leaking pipes is what I thought initially.I have looked at units in 4 different buildings and it is all the same.I have never seen an active leak at any of the lines.[:-banghead] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Fabry Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 With all the solids that have precipitated on the exterior, those pipes are self sealing. Sodium sulphate, potassium sulphate,sodium carbonate, calcium sulphate, sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate,sodium silicate, magnesium sulphate. All those salts would clog yer arteries too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n/a29 Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 Originally posted by Chad Fabry With all the solids that have precipitated on the exterior, those pipes are self sealing. Sodium sulphate, potassium sulphate,sodium carbonate, calcium sulphate, sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate,sodium silicate, magnesium sulphate. All those salts would clog yer arteries too. In just the little bit of inspection experience I have had, I have seen leaks like this seal themselves just as Chad mentions. You crud over a leak enough and it will hold like chewing gum. If it isn't a high pressure leak, which obviously it is not, then the corrosion often times will hide the signs of the original leaking. Good call Chad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swarga Posted May 26, 2004 Report Share Posted May 26, 2004 You said you couldn't see the leak. I can't see the wind, but I can see the effects of the wind. The corrosion is caused by a leak. (CPVC does not corrode by it self) I would also pay attention to the way the vents are connected together. It may just be the camera angle but I don't think you have enough rise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Pritchard Posted May 26, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2004 Thanks for the comments.I guess I was looking for someone to mention a lack of ventilation,high moisture content in the air,etc.etc.The fact that this is prevalent throughout the complex made it hard for me to accept just a leaky pipe.These pics were taken on the 3rd floor.I stopped by the 2nd floor on my way down and saw the same thing.As I said before I have been in about 4 of the buildings and they all have the same problem.I can see galvanized pipe leaking but even I can glue CPVC together and not have a leak.The plunmbing contractor must have got his license and crew from one of those internet sites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terence McCann Posted May 26, 2004 Report Share Posted May 26, 2004 Hello Danny: Regarding the lack of ventilation/combustion air, we can only see what the camera sees. By the looks of the leaks it would appear that there is quite a bit of electrolysis in action. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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