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monkfan · Mar 3, 2009, 04:33 AM

Hi, while dusting the top of my water electric water heater, I noticed there are two connection knobs on top (hot+cold) and at the connection I think I am seeing mold.
I am waiting to hear from the plumber but though I would ask. I purchased this 2/05.
Thank you

massplumber2008 · Mar 3, 2009, 04:43 AM

Is this mold you refer to green? If so, it is not mold, it is a start of corrosion of the pipe/fitting (see pictures).

This is usually a result of dissimilar metals being joined together or of the acidic flux plumbers use to join the pipes not being cleaned off the pipes after joining (soldering) them...

It could also be as a result of small leaks at the fitting...

You could try to clean this up using sandcloth.. or wait for plumber.. he will most likely disconnect the fittings and replace them.

Let me know if you have more questions...

MARK

monkfan · Mar 3, 2009, 04:51 AM

Thank You Mark, that is what it looks like but not as bad. I will wait until the Plumber who put it in to contact me, afraid to touch it. I will let you know.

massplumber2008 · Mar 3, 2009, 05:24 AM

Thanks...

monkfan · Mar 5, 2009, 02:21 PM

Hi Mark,

I heard back from him this morning and he said he can send someone to look at the pipes and even wave the $60.00 dispatch fee.
Kind of Stupid question - If he has/wants to replace the pipes, does this mean I would have to pay him for this or was it included with the installation of the water heater back in 2/04?
I just don't want to be surprised.
Thank you again

massplumber2008 · Mar 5, 2009, 02:25 PM

5 years old... Hmmm.. Hard to say here...

If you could post a picture of the work I could tell you better, but without knowing what materials were used I can't say... sorry.

monkfan · Mar 5, 2009, 03:12 PM

OK here are some pictures. Hope you can see them good.
Thanks

massplumber2008 · Mar 5, 2009, 04:41 PM

Thank you for those pics... really helps!

I'll tell you... all in all.. this doesn't look bad at all. I figure the plumber didn't wash the pipe/fittings after he soldered is all... no real corrosion that I can tell.

If I were you I would take some sandcloth and just clean up the questionable areas. There is NO CHANCE that anything will break... I promise.

In fact, I would cancel the plumber altogether... this is pretty normal stuff... especially if you clean it off now.

Let me know what you think... but I am sure the plumber would tell you the same thing.. except maybe he would tell you that he is glad to replace all this... for a price! Funny thing is about 5 years from now same issue would come up... ;)

MARK

speedball1 · Mar 5, 2009, 05:06 PM

I'm with Mark on this. Sounds like solder past corrosion to me. Cancel the plumber, squirt some WD40 or oil on the crud and wipe it off. BTW, looking at the pipes you'll never convince me that a licensed plumber did the work. Regards, Tom

monkfan · Mar 6, 2009, 03:04 AM

Thank you Mark, thank you Speedball1 very much.
I did have trouble with this plumber when he put it in, he sent nonplumbers over when I discovered the leak in time and the boys couldn't get the hose on right and it leaked all over my place and new pergo floors I put in. I didn't want to deal with him but thought if this was his fault it wouldn't cost me anything.
Anyway, I am thankful for your help and I am glad to know that there are HONEST plumbers out there.
Sandra

speedball1 · Mar 6, 2009, 05:44 AM

Good morning Sandra,
We attempt to police our trade through licensing and inspections but every once in a while one slips through the cracks. Sorry you got one of the bad ones. If we can ever help again we're as close as a click. Good luck and thank you for rating my answer. Tom