Outside issues can occur too but more often than not you’ll require knowledge on how to clean copper pipes inside. This doesn’t affect our unbiased content, as we’re dedicated to helping you make informed decisions. I think one of the reasons for not using the steel wool is a health and safety issue to do with pulling bits of the wool apart. You’ll be required to clean the external part of the pipe before actually applying patches or tape to copper pipes.

If you don’t want to put in as much manual labor, soak your copper pieces in vinegar for an equally efficient cleaning method.The smaller troubles can build up to big ones when corrosion is involved, resulting in additional costs to our home repairs that we’d rather avoid. With a cotton cloth or rag that is only used for cleaning purposes, soak it in the cleaning solution. Sometimes the oxidation process requires a little more strength than a cotton rag, but avoid steel wool and scrub brushes. The go-to way to clean copper usually involves purchasing a bottle of calcium, lime, and rust remover.

The constant maintenance will keep us wary of some issues earlier, making them easier to handle as well. Although some patina is useful for aesthetic and design purposes, it is something you want to avoid on your plumbing and HVAC systems. Thankfully, there are ample tools to use and cleaning solutions to apply that it doesn’t feel too bothersome to actually finish it all off. Put some white vinegar at the end of it to get a really good cleaning effect and get rid of any flux. The solution we see frequently applied to copper pipes to extend their longevity is repair patch kits.

When water carries magnesium and calcium inside of it, it results in limescale building up in our pipes. Knowing how to clean a copper pipe pays off in the long run by prolonging the metal’s life and keeping any home-damaging accidents from occurring. Personally I prefer the little carborundum strips that are now available or the black abrasive pads that are bit like Scotchbrite.