"JoeSpareBedroom" wrote in message
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"Mike Dobony" wrote in message
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"JoeSpareBedroom" wrote in message
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"Mike Dobony" wrote in message
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"JoeSpareBedroom" wrote in message
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"Mike Dobony" wrote in message
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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.