Pinholes in copper pipe

[auntybellum]

Hello, we have been experiencing pinholes in copper pipe (cold water service) in installations less than 4 years old.The pinholes are Type 1 pitting corrosion with the familiar copper carbonate cap on the inside of the pipe covering the pitting site. It's a hard water area. Does anyone else have any experience of this sort of failures on what is almost new pipe (the manufacturer is a reputable Eurpoean supplier)?Thank you

 

[mountainman]

Had a similar problem many years ago, that was due to poor quality copper.
May be a dodgy batch of pipe.

 

[PlumbBobBob]

i think mountainman has hit the problem on the head. you have been supplied poor quality copper. i think you should have a word with your supplier

 

[auntybellum]

i think mountainman has hit the problem on the head. you have been supplied poor quality copper. i think you should have a word with your supplier

Thank you. It seems to be the case. I was just trawling to see whether it was a widespread problem or relatively unique.

 

[Guest123]

I've seen a lot of this in stainless steel but only once in copper. You say that the copper came from a "European" supplier. They probably import it from the Far East and resell it and it's poor quality. Unfortunately much of the copper on sale just now is imported and it's rubbish. It kinks and ribs when bent on a bending machine and feels thin and brittle.

This is one good reason for buying British, look for the kitemark for a good quality British copper tube product that will last for years.

 

[SimonJohns]

I've had this where dissimilar metals have been used and also thin wall cheap copper

 

[auntybellum]

I've seen a lot of this in stainless steel but only once in copper. You say that the copper came from a "European" supplier. They probably import it from the Far East and resell it and it's poor quality. Unfortunately much of the copper on sale just now is imported and it's rubbish. It kinks and ribs when bent on a bending machine and feels thin and brittle.

This is one good reason for buying British, look for the kitemark for a good quality British copper tube product that will last for years.

Thank you. Interesting reply. I had heard 'rumours' of poor quality Chinese copper. The fault appears to be inadequate removal of the carbon film leading to (I believe) H+ ions from dissociation of the water (in the prescence of small amounts of phospate in hard water areas). The carbon is supposedly removed to achieve BS EN 1057.

 

[Guest123]

.......or bi-metalic corrosion.