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    skreeger's Avatar
    skreeger Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Aug 8, 2012, 09:45 AM
    The plumbing pipes have turned black in my crawl space. Is that a big problem? Mold?
    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's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #2

    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's Avatar
    skreeger Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    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's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #4

    Aug 8, 2012, 05:02 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by skreeger View Post
    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's Avatar
    skreeger Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Aug 9, 2012, 10:12 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by speedball1 View Post
    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's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
     
    #6

    Aug 9, 2012, 10:55 AM
    Post a pic.
    skreeger's Avatar
    skreeger Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    Aug 9, 2012, 11:16 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by hkstroud View Post
    Post a pic.
    here you go

    Name:  black pipe1.jpg
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    Name:  black pipe2.jpg
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    Name:  black pipe4.jpg
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    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
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    #8

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

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