Galvanic corrosion between copper and brass

[75gmck25]

When I connected my PEX manifold to the old cast iron pipes for the boiler in my house I used a short section of copper pipe with a brass adapter on the iron pipe end, and I assumed the fitting on the new PEX manifold was also brass (it’s definitely not magnetic). It’s been that way for 6-7 years.

I noticed today that the one of the copper pipes has quite a lot of green corrosion where it connects to the “brass“ on the PEX manifold and the other connections have a little corrosion. I took a couple pictures of the corrosion.

Did I do something wrong with the materials for these connections, or is corroding for other reasons? I could replace the copper pipes with PEX, but it’s quite a job to get it apart, and I’d probably have to buy a roll of 1” oxygen barrier PEX just to get the few feet I need.

Thanks for any input.

 

[mrbill55]

When I connected my PEX manifold to the old cast iron pipes for the boiler in my house I used a short section of copper pipe with a brass adapter on the iron pipe end, and I assumed the fitting on the new PEX manifold was also brass (it’s definitely not magnetic). It’s been that way for 6-7 years.

I noticed today that the one of the copper pipes has quite a lot of green corrosion where it connects to the “brass“ on the PEX manifold and the other connections have a little corrosion. I took a couple pictures of the corrosion.

Did I do something wrong with the materials for these connections, or is corroding for other reasons? I could replace the copper pipes with PEX, but it’s quite a job to get it apart, and I’d probably have to buy a roll of 1” oxygen barrier PEX just to get the few feet I need.

Thanks for any input.

If they are not grounded properly, yes, galvanic action can and will occur. To put it bluntly this AM, If you are planning to be in the house long term, I'd replace with new Pex and be done with it. Otherwise, it's not a matter of if, but when before you'll see failure in that area.....With all of our luck, it will be 10 degrees out and at 2am..........Bite the bullet, do it now so you stop losing sleep over it.


Bill S.