I just had a rude awakening about how corrosive chlorine can be to copper pipes! I stored some unsealed chlorine tablets from Costco in a utility closet, and just weeks later, they caused significant damage to my nearly new copper pipes. I never realized solid chlorine could off-gas that much! So here's a lesson learned for everyone. Are there any steps I can take to stabilize or clean my pipes now that they've been affected? So far, I've just been using soapy water and paper towels to clean them.
5 Answers
Oxidation isn’t the end of the world! It actually helps protect the copper underneath. Scrubbing too much can do more harm than good because it removes that protective layer. If your pipes are oxidized, it might be better to leave them alone than to try and clean them.
Don't store chlorine anywhere near anything important indoors! It can wreak havoc on metals, not just copper. If it's outside, make sure it's in a sturdy container away from anything you care about. You don't want it damaging your car or lawn tools either.
Yikes, good to know. I keep mine in the garage too.
I used to keep my pool tabs next to my HVAC unit too... what a mistake! Now I've got them stored in a Rubbermaid outside. Those tabs off-gas and dust everywhere; it’s a real hassle.
Exactly! I can’t believe I didn’t realize it sooner. Glad to know I’m not alone.
It's true! Chlorine is bad to store in closed spaces with any plumbing. I learned the hard way too. You should always keep chemicals like that outside in a dedicated container to avoid issues. I’d suggest flushing the pipes with lots of water and then drying them off. Avoid using neutralizers like ascorbic acid because they can also cause corrosion to copper.
Does this apply to other cleaners too? I keep some under my sink as well.
I’ll check under my sinks now too! Better safe than sorry, right?
If you can get rid of the chlorine exposure, the oxidation should stop. Using something like ascorbic acid can potentially help. Vinegar or citric acid can also work if you're looking to clean the pipes without damaging them too much.
So is it true? If I eliminate the chlorine, the pipe won’t get worse?
Exactly! Just a gentle clean with the right stuff should do the trick.
Right? I had a battery leak once, and it ruined a ton of my tools in the garage!