How To Clean Out Old Copper Pipes
If the line coming in is galv shut off the water and take a look at the fittings especially if it is a 90 degree.
How to clean out old copper pipes. Wet a rag with acetone. We replace our water line due to a leak the old was cement lined galv the house was built in mid 1960s. With a house this old even if you fix the problem temporarily by cleaning then u will eventually have to replace the pipes and great cost.
Make a weak acid solution with vinegar or muriatic that you can immerse the entire pipe in add a little salt and a dash of sugar or little bit of anti freeze. Also realize that copper used for heating is usually a thinner wall than piping used fof domestic water. Bill Arden Mar 5 2008.
Cleaning old copper pipe can be such a chore especially when the pipe is against a wall. Wipe the green section to remove the patina from the copper pipes. Through sweating loose soldered connections or by physically cutting out sections of pipe.
Either approach is appropriate and will. Its possible to remove copper pipes from fixtures in two ways. Repeat until only a thin coating remains generally 2 wipes will do it.
The traditional method used most of the time to clean cast iron pipes is a drain snake with cable and blades. Melt the old solder with a torch. Lemon juice isnt the only ingredient that breaks down oxidization on copper pipes.
If its 30 years old you probably have galv or copper. Yes it is possible to clean out the pipes using cleaners like vinegar but you will risk both creating leaks and plugging up faucets as the flakes come loose. If you find that the salt and vinegar method is the best way to clean copper pipes for you but you think your pipes could benefit from longer treatment add flour to the salt and vinegar mixture to make a paste.