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View Full Version : The plumbing pipes have turned black in my crawl space. Is that a big problem? Mold?


skreeger
Aug 8, 2012, 09:45 AM
I am in the process of buying a home that was built in 1967. There is moisture in crawl space, there was standing water that got cleaned up. The inspector noticed several of the plumbing pipes turned black. There is no chinese dry wall. Should I be worried about this? Or is this some normal discoloration on cast iron pipes?

speedball1
Aug 8, 2012, 03:49 PM
should I be worried about this? Or is this some normal discoloration on cast iron pipes? Cast iron pipes are coated with tar. All cast iron pipes are black. Good luck, Tom

skreeger
Aug 8, 2012, 04:00 PM
Sorry, just heard back from seller that pipes are copper. Not all of them are turning black. I read on few sites that copper turns green over time, the color is black though, not gree. Still OK?

speedball1
Aug 8, 2012, 05:02 PM
sorry, just heard back from seller that pipes are copper. not all of them are turning black. i read on few sites that copper turns green over time, the color is black though, not gree. still ok?

We started with cast iron. When did it change to copper. Copper will turn green from the acid in the flux. Over the years copper can develop a black finish. It doesn't hurt the pipes. If it bothers you take some steel wool and go over the pipes. Good luck, Tom

skreeger
Aug 9, 2012, 10:12 AM
We started out with cast iron. When did it change to copper. Copper will turn green from the acid in the flux. Over the years copper can develop a black finish. It doesn't hurt the pipes. If it bothers you take some steel wool and go over the pipes. Good luck, Tom

Thanks Tom, I am relived.

hkstroud
Aug 9, 2012, 10:55 AM
Post a pic.

skreeger
Aug 9, 2012, 11:16 AM
Post a pic. here you go

40978

40979

40980

40981

hkstroud
Aug 9, 2012, 08:40 PM
Copper pipes. Cast iron stack.
Tarnished and lots of cob webs.