Corroded copper pipe

[ptarmigan]

Recently posted about what appeared to be a tap tail weeping on a bath, after trying new fibre washer it was still leaking and decided to replace the lot with compression fittings.
Curiosity got the better of me so unsoldered the tap connector and found this, the pipe is 25-30 years old and is used elsewhere without problems, it has a lot of pitting but then when i look it seems almost like rust, anybody an idea what caused this.

 

[JohnD]

You can get rust deposits in copper pipes, coming from the water that has passed through old iron pipes. In hard water areas it tends to be held in place with limescale, and is disturbed by plumbing work. After replacing an incoming pipe with plastic in an old house, I found the washing machine leaked because the electric incoming valve was clogged with rust particles.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

it has a lot of pitting but then when i look it seems almost like rust, anybody an idea what caused this.

I vaguely remember there was some imported copper pipe, which had been made from less than pure copper, which eventually developed pinhole leaks.

 

[ptarmigan]

John and Harry, Thanks for the info, iron pipes may account for it as i had a row with the wife over why the bath silicone always takes on a reddish colour so not perhaps when she dyes her hair, it is a hard water area but the only muck that comes through is sand which you can see in the cisterns.
Having taken a closer look at the pipe i can see France imprinted on it, perhaps some long time revenge!

 

[foxhole]

John and Harry, Thanks for the info, iron pipes may account for it as i had a row with the wife over why the bath silicone always takes on a reddish colour so not perhaps when she dyes her hair, it is a hard water area but the only muck that comes through is sand which you can see in the cisterns.
Having taken a closer look at the pipe i can see France imprinted on it, perhaps some long time revenge!

Reddish hue on silicon is often mould , left it turns black.

 

[JohnD]

You can test your pipes with a magnet to make sure they have no steel content

In my current house I have a water softener which includes a particle filter, and also dissolves away limescale.

The "sand" might possibly be limescale particles. Try putting them in vinegar.

The house with the washing machine clog was fed from the incoming main. Hot, and cold bathroom water, were fed from a loft tank where any incoming grit settled to the bottom, and did not reach the taps (except when I washed it out and drained it).

 

[JohnD]

Reddish hue on silicon is often mould , left it turns black.

I believe it can feed on soap and shampoo deposits. You seem to get more of it round showers.