I took on a project I wish I didn't, but too late. I knocked out my
shower tiles and replaced the shower faucet. I practiced soldering
copper and soldered the new faucet to the hot/cold copper pipes, then I
connected steel pipes (e.g. to the shower head). The problem is now
when I turn on the water the first little bit is a light rusty brown
color (and smells funny). Then it is immediately fine. I did this less
than a week ago. Any ideas? Is it my soldering? Is it because I used
steel pipes attached to the copper faucet (the shower faucet
instructions said to use iron, but I could not find it and figured
who'd notice). Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Steve wrote:
The problem is now
when I turn on the water the first little bit is a light rusty brown
color (and smells funny). Then it is immediately fine. I did this less
than a week ago. Any ideas? Is it my soldering? Is it because I used
steel pipes attached to the copper faucet (the shower faucet
instructions said to use iron,

Yep.

You should have used a brass fitting between the steel and the copper.
The rust will get worse. Read this:

http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/p...n_de/intro.htm

--
WARNING:

Do NOT under any circumstances take advice from an idiot named AMUN.

AMUN is a clueless moron regarding tile, electrical and various other
construction issues. As things go AMUN will (thankfully) dissapear
as his kind usually does when confronted with their bad advice by
those who are knowledgeable in their respective fields.
Until then - BEWARE

Thanks for the info and the article. I did not know this can happen
this quick, I just installed it. Is there a difference between steel
and iron? I ask because the instructions that came with the faucet said
to just screw on iron pipe.

G Henslee wrote:
Steve wrote:

The problem is now
when I turn on the water the first little bit is a light rusty brown
color (and smells funny). Then it is immediately fine. I did this less
than a week ago. Any ideas? Is it my soldering? Is it because I used
steel pipes attached to the copper faucet (the shower faucet
instructions said to use iron,


Yep.

You should have used a brass fitting between the steel and the copper.
The rust will get worse. Read this:

http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/p...n_de/intro.htm



Either of them in direct contact with the copper will produce galvanic
action when used for carrying water. Iron will rust quicker than galv.
steel of course.

On 7 Sep 2005 10:12:13 -0700, "Steve" wrote:

Thanks for the info and the article. I did not know this can happen
this quick, I just installed it. Is there a difference between steel
and iron? I ask because the instructions that came with the faucet said
to just screw on iron pipe.

It's possible iron is much more resistant to the problem. They used
iron for city water lines for years, some of them are over 150 years
old and still in service. I think they recently changed some of the
codes but for years you had to use black iron pipe for gas lines
instead of galvanized steel because steel was much less resistant to
corrosion from the gas.

Ashton Crusher wrote:
On 7 Sep 2005 10:12:13 -0700, "Steve" wrote:


Thanks for the info and the article. I did not know this can happen
this quick, I just installed it. Is there a difference between steel
and iron? I ask because the instructions that came with the faucet said
to just screw on iron pipe.


It's possible iron is much more resistant to the problem. They used
iron for city water lines for years, some of them are over 150 years
old and still in service. I think they recently changed some of the
codes but for years you had to use black iron pipe for gas lines
instead of galvanized steel because steel was much less resistant to
corrosion from the gas.

I thought the black pipe was used because of the galvinization flaking
off and clogging the ports (Just what I was told G)

Iron pipes used for main water supply aren't exposed to air. Pipes on
the outlet side of the valve are exposed and only take a few days to
start rusting. (Experience speaking here...) I installed a new
tub/shower valve and within the week had to remove all of the threaded
iron pipe and install copper. It wasn't as big a deal as I thought it
would be.

NJBrad