Does concrete dissolve copper?

A: According to petrographer Bernie Erlin, copper won’t corrode in concrete unless soluble chlorides are present. When copper is adjacent to steel reinforcement, and an electrolyte such as chloride is present, steel corrosion is likely to occur due to galvanic action.

How do you break concrete around copper pipe?





You will need to remove some concrete to access the pipe. You can use a concrete cutting saw or an electric jack hammer; both can be rented from tool rental companies. Concrete slabs are usually between 4 to 6 inches thick.

Does copper pipe corrode in concrete?

According to the Portland Cement Association the interaction of copper with both dry and wet concrete should not cause a corrosion concern.

Can copper pipes come in contact with concrete?

A: Copper is unlikely to react with the limestone or concrete, as long as it isn’t too alkaline. The hard water deposits that sometimes build up in copper pipes are made up mostly of calcium carbonate, just like limestone. However, it might still be a good idea to run the copper through a PVC sleeve.

How long does copper pipe last in cement?

50 years





This is because the copper pipes generally last 50 years or more. It is resistant to corrosion. It has anti-bacterial properties, and it is an economically and environmentally sound choice for potable water supply lines.

How do you find copper pipes on a concrete floor?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So what it is is it puts a signal into the line or conduit you're trying to locate and then with this wand you're able to go along and detect it under the slab or underground.

How do you remove plumbing from concrete?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So what I'm going to show you today is how to remove the trench like the concrete in the trench and prep to put in a plumbing pipe.

How do you break concrete around a pipe?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: The cement and then you can use a sledge hammer or just a regular hammer to crack it.

How do you fix an underground copper water pipe?



Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: And deeper it you want a very very clean surface in there it creates a much better flow. And it's up to code so we're gonna go ahead and take that next step in the soldering. Process.

How long does it take for concrete to eat copper?

Copper will not react with dry, hardened concrete and/or mortar. I recently dug out some copper pipes buried for about 60 years in cement and mortar and whilst there was some discolouration there was no sign at all of any degredation of the Cu. It will outlive you and the house so go for it.

How do you cover pipes in concrete floor?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: And cut the pipe you cut the pipe one by one so the process is not so hard you just level the floor. See where is the mark of the our floor. And cut it a little bit lower. Than.

Does copper pipe corrode underground?



Summary. Copper water tubing has an outstanding history of corrosion resistance in most underground environments. Copper does not naturally corrode in most clays, chalks, loams, sands, and gravels. Certain aggressive soil conditions, however, can cause it to corrode.

How do you repair plumbing under a slab?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Down the cut ahead at the end of the drain snake will scrape the inside of the pipe. And remove the last of those tree roots to leave a nice clean pipe.

How do you stop copper pipes from corroding?

Install a phosphate feeder before the copper piping. Phosphate will coat the piping and reduce or slow down the corrosion effects by coating the piping’s interior surfaces with phosphate and causing an insulation surface to be built up.

How do you clean copper water pipes?

Mix equal parts of the vinegar, flour, baking soda, and salt to form a paste. Rub the paste to cover the entire affected area of the pipe and allow it some time to dry; up to 30-minutes should be sufficient. After the required time has elapsed, wipe the paste off the pipe with soapy water.

How long does it take for copper pipes to corrode?



The corrosion rate of copper in most drinkable waters is less than 2.5 µm/year, at this rate a 15 mm tube with a wall thickness of 0.7 mm would last for about 280 years.

How long do copper water pipes last?

70 to 80 years

Brass, cast iron, and galvanized steel have a life span of 80 to 100 years, copper lasts 70 to 80 years, and PVC piping only survives for 24 to 45 years. In most new construction, this is seldom a problem, but if you live in an old home you might want to see what pipe material your house has.

How do I know if my copper pipes need replacing?

You should replace any copper pipe that is showing signs of damage or deterioration, regardless of its age. If your water is chronically acidic, copper piping might not be the best choice for your home. Water that normally has a pH greater than 6.5 won’t deteriorate your copper pipes.

Are old copper pipes worth anything?



The copper pipes will fetch you more money if they are free of paint, rubber, or other metal coatings. Any additions to your copper pipes make them impure and will not cost much as scrap metal. For example, 0.5 lbs of high-quality scrap copper are worth $1.17. This is at $2.20 per pound of copper scrap metal.