Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 06, 2000 01:07am | #1

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   Since the water inside the pipes tests normal and the problem is seen on the outside of the pipe, I too would be suspicous of the sulfur smell in the basement. Sulfur (and nitrogen) oxides can react with copper. Is it more apparent on the cold pipes, than on the hot? If so, that fits with the more used pipes being more discolored because they are at a lower average temperature and would condense more vapors from the air.

   I've turned copper pipe gun-metal blue but only by oxidizing it at quite high temperatures (like 1000F). I'd try to track down the sulfur smell in the basement. I'd first check for a dry (or nonexistent) p-trap in a sink or floor drain. If your floor drain or laundry sink p-trap dries out, you can get septic/sewer gases coming into the house. Tossing in a quart of water each week would fix that problem. Good Luck, David

2. 
   john_darche | Sep 06, 2000 08:18pm | #2

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   There is only one drain in the basement and this is in a slop sink. I have filled this trap with water before going away for a weekend thinking as you suggested that the smell could be coming from the drain. Upon returning the smell was there as usual. Further, where the pipes are covered by a wire tie, there is no discoloration under the tie. Any more suggestions?

3. 
   john_darche | Sep 07, 2000 01:01am | #3

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   In a five year old house, I have recently noticed that the copper water pipes are turning a gunmetal blue color. Additionally, there is a strong smell of sulphur in the basement and to a lesser extent the first floor when returning to the house after a weekend away. The pipes going to lesser used water outlets are considerably less discolored than those going to more frequently used water outlets.
   The water will occasionally have a slight sulphur odor. It has been tested for sulphur, clear water iron, acidity and hardness and the results were not out of normal parameters.
   Question--1. What could be causing these conditions, and 2. Could the two conditions be related?

4. 
   Guest_ | Sep 07, 2000 01:01am | #4

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   Where are you located? Is there a lot of sulpher in the ground water? (City water will have treated for it, but well and ground water might have a lot.) do your supermarkets have _big_ piles of water softener salts for sale?

   In my area, there is a lot of sulpher in ground water (and big piles of salts at the supermarkets.)

   Could this be the source of sulpher in the basement?

   Bob