Verdigris Slow Leak?

[steveoelliott]

Whilst clearing out one of our bathroom cupboards noticed a little patch on the shelf. It has clearly dried, the sinks above are in daily use and on the hot noticed some corrosion, green and white spots on the soldered joint. This is also dry, if I rub it with my finger, a white residue comes off.  This corrosion looks pretty bad to my untrained eye but of course this if with a light shining right on it.

 

I suspect initially caused by flux not being cleaned off but wondered if I may have a problem hear that's waiting to happen. I have asked my plumber to take a look but he isn't sure if he will get here before Christmas.

 

The only other explanation for this patch could be condensation on the pipes, particularly the cold but both pipes bone dry on inspection.

[JohnMo]

Give it a good clean, it could be the plumber never cleaned the flux off. Bit of soapy water and abrasive pad. Dry it off.

 

Then leave for a few days, with the joint wrapped a kitchen paper towel or loo roll around the joint and inspect, it will trap any water and stay wet for ages, rather than just evaporating off. If it's dray and stays dry for a couple of days it was flux. If wet the joint is leaking.

Edited 10 hours ago by JohnMo

[steveoelliott]

4 minutes ago, JohnMo said:

Give it a good clean, it could be the plumber never cleaned the flux off. Bit of soapy water and abrasive pad. Dry it off.

 

Then leave for a few days, with the joint wrapped a kitchen paper towel or loo roll around the joint and inspect, it will trap any water and stay wet for ages, rather than just evaporating off. If it's dray and stays dry for a couple of days it was flux. If wet the joint is leaking.

I won’t hold you to it but I’m guessing it’s unlikely to suddenly start leaking imminently.

 

The joint itself is ~15 years old.

Edited 10 hours ago by steveoelliott

[marshian]

Cold pipe or Hot Pipe?

 

Bathrooms are normally warmer that other rooms - if it's a cold pipe it could be condensation forming on the pipe rather than an actual leak when the bathroom has a high humidity level (ie when having a bath)

[Conor]

Looks like water is running down the pipe from above. Likely an ill-fitting tap letting water down from splashes in the sink area.

Edited 6 hours ago by Conor

[steveoelliott]

1 hour ago, marshian said:

Cold pipe or Hot Pipe?

 

Bathrooms are normally warmer that other rooms - if it's a cold pipe it could be condensation forming on the pipe rather than an actual leak when the bathroom has a high humidity level (ie when having a bath)

Hot pipe so much less likely I guess.

[steveoelliott]

45 minutes ago, Conor said:

Looks like water is running down the pipe from above. Likely an ill-fitting tap letting water down from splashes in the sink area.

There is a small gap between sink and tap so possible but I suspect corrosion caused by flux.

[marshian]

24 minutes ago, steveoelliott said:

Hot pipe so much less likely I guess.

Agreed