WhiteTea wrote:
On Jul 4, 7:44 am, "HeyBub" wrote:
In upgrading an outside faucet, I twisted the pipe holding the
faucet into a shattered mess! WTF?

The 1/2" galvanized pipe exits the plumbing supply through a brick
wall and the pipe exit was packed in with brick mortar.

So I chiseled out about six bricks to get to the junction of the
output pipe. Damn! The 10" galvanized iron pipe was in excellent
shape except where it passed through the mortar. Even in the area
that was covered with mortar, the pipe's interior was in good shape.
The corrosion was taking place from the outside inward.

It seems as if the mortar was eating the pipe. Bother!

About 200 cursewords later, I had the 10" access pipe replaced and
turned the water back on. (It ain't easy getting a pipe wrench
inside a wall.).

I noticed a teeny bit of moisture at another, nearby, faucet access
pipe!

I carefully chiseled out the mortar surrounding THIS pipe and it
started spewing like a beer can in the sun; same thing as the
previous pipe. This pipe, as it passed through the mortar, was
nothing but a thin layer of rust. Another 200-curseword job!

Anyway, the new pipes are now covered with a 1/4"-thick plastic
tunnel as they pass through the brick veneer.

What I learned:
1. Mortar attacks galvanized pipes.
2. Pipes imbedded in mortar should be checked every 30 years and
replaced if necessary.

How old is the house?

I know of a 55 yr. old house with galvanized piping coming out of the
brick with no signs of corrosion.


House was built in the late '60s. So I guess it's about 40 years old.

Maybe they used rosin-core mortar at the house at which you can't see the
corrosion.

I just got back from buying a sack of mortar with which to replace the
bricks. No warning on the bag about pipes, pets, or plants, so I guess I'm
okay.

Aside---
Both Harbor Freight and Home Depot are open today. As are the day laborers
in the HD parking lot. I even had one youngster stop me as I was leaving HD
to ask if I needed help putting the 60-pound bag of mortar in my truck. He
was either desperate for a tip or I look more feeble than I really am.

I WAS contemplating a lie-down but my pride's insulted. I'm gonna lay
bricks -- even if it IS 104° outside! I'll show that pipsqueak!

Soon as I figure out how to get the bag of mortar OUT of my truck...