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Posted by JoeSpareBedroom on December 18, 2006, 8:20 am
>
>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>> We have a whirlpool in our basement and the copper is getting
>>>>>>> covered with a green,semi-powdery coating. I have tried several
>>>>>>> cleaners and even electrical cleaner, but this stuff is stubbornly
>>>>>>> staying in place. Anybody know of a way to clean this off without
>>>>>>> scraping? Thanks.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Mike D.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> You didn't specify WHICH copper was turning green, so I'll assume you
>>>>>> mean the pipes leading to the whirlpool. Here's an explanation of the
>>>>>> green color:
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Nowhere near the whirlpool. They are in the next room.
>>>>>
>>>>>> "Copper exposed to water, oxygen, and CO2 in the air form a complex
>>>>>> mixture
>>>>>> of oxides and carbonates, referred to as "patina". The presence of
>>>>>> acids
>>>>>> accelerates the process."Basically, it's copper's version of rust. No
>>>>>> need to obsess about it. But, copper wasn't the best choice for the
>>>>>> pipes which are close to the whirlpool. PVC (plastic) would've been
>>>>>> better.
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> No need to be obsessed about it, but makes it difficult to sell the
>>>>> house for a good price. Grey poly is running to the whirlpool. These
>>>>> are in the next room and are the main lines running up to a manifold
>>>>> to run individual poly lines to each sink/faucet/etc.
>>>>
>>>> I mentioned "adjacent" because any of the factors can accelerate the
>>>> oxidation. If the area around the pipes is damp at all, you're going to
>>>> get the green stuff. Has anyone looked at the house and actually
>>>> commented on it? Customer? Realtor? If yes, get to a hardware store and
>>>> pick up one of the paste-type products made for cleaning the green
>>>> away. But, if you don't find the cause, it's going to return.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Realtor and potential buyers have all commented on it. It is hard NOT
>>> to comment on such an obvious and unusual attribute (unusual for
>>> plumbing and in such large quantity, i.e. solid on all the cold supply
>>> and minor coloring on the hot). I have a potential buyer we are
>>> negoting with right now, but he wants to take out the whirlpool and
>>> wants it replaced with copper. The whirlpool is a strong selling point
>>> of the house and best option for them is for me to replace it with CPVC.
>>
>> So, replace it with PVC. Do you stand to make a decent profit on this
>> house? Would a couple of hours of a plumber's time put a major dent in
>> the profit?
>>
>
> That is what I would like to do, but the buyer we are negotiating with
> right now wants copper and says he wants to remove the whirlpool. The
> problem is that the deal is on a 72 hour clause. If we come to acceptable
> terms then the house still remains on the market. If we get another buyer
> who is ready to make a firm offer with a set closing date the first buyer
> has 72 hours to commit to the purchase, otherwise it goes to the second
> buyer with an acceptable offer. The first buyer is the only one
> interested in the house without the whirlpool. Everyone else has
> commented positively on the indoor whirlpool. e did this on another house
> and the people with the 72 hour clause gave up the house. Also, there
> would be NO plumber's time. It is all my time.
>
In that case, I'd agree to replace the copper with new pipe, since that's
cheap and you can do it yourself. Tell him "no" to removing the whirlpool.
He's being silly. Even if you replace the pipes, the new ones will be green
again at some point in the future and he'll realize he asked for the wrong
thing. He should've asked his inspector to figure out WHY they're turning
green.
Of course, only you and your realtor know what the local house market is
like. Is waiting for a second offer realistic, or aren't you getting many
lookers?
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