Sunday, October 28, 2012

What Causes Blue Green Stains in My Bathtub?

I am on well water, what causes blue green stains in my bathtub?
Thanks,

Fred,
Columbia, MO



Fred,

Thanks for emailing. Blue green stains, pin-hole leaks in copper pipes, and premature water heater failure is more than likely caused by acidic water.  Water that has a pH level of less than 6.0 will always have this effect on fixtures, piping, and unfortunately fish as well.  
According to some estimates, corrosion costs the United States more than $1 billion a year.
Copper corrosion in home plumbing systems is a common phenomenon, which can have many causes.
Besides actual piping failure, the telltale blue stains on sinks, tubs, and fixtures caused by oxidized copper can identify copper corrosion.
Corrosive water can dissolve high levels of copper from pipes and fixtures. Copper can cause blue or green stains in sinks and give a metallic taste to water, especially when the water has been in contact with pipes for several hours or overnight.
Many customers with this type of water used to have blue-green stains from copper pipe corrosion and after installing the neutralizer see their blue stains disappear within a few weeks!

The neutralizer filter comes with everything you need including the calcite media and simple instructions. Any plumber or person familiar with basic plumbing can install them.

Unlike older style neutralizers, our neutralizers use Vortech neutralizer tanks which have an advanced internal screen which eliminates the use of a gravel base. This will reduce backwash water used by 30%. A quick once-per-week backwash of 12 to 15 minutes is all it takes to keep the calcite media in good shape.

A top-fill plug and an easy-to-use bypass valve make adding additional calcite so quick and easy that you wont need a service technician to add more calcite.

Most of our customers just add an additional 25 to 50 lbs of calcite once per year, no other real maintenance is required.






Acid Neutralizer Filters      
  



CALCITE ACID NEUTRALIZER FILTER 5900-BT 1.0 CF 10X44

                     



  • Eliminates acidity in the pH range of 6.0 to 6.9 by slowly dissolving Calcite (calcium carbonate) into the water as it flows through the filter
  • Choose optional Calcite Blend (which ships with both calcite and magnesium minerals) if your well water pH is between 5.0 and 6.0
  • All the filter media you need for the system is included
  • Much longer life and higher flow rates than Calcite filter cartridges
  • Unlike Calcite cartridges or Up-Flow Neutralizers which can trap sediment and dirt causing pressure drop these systems automatically backwash out trapped sediment alleviating pressure drop and increasing flow rate.
  • Top Fill Plug makes it fast and easy to add additional calcite over the years without hiring a plumber or technician.
  • Pure White NSF-Certified Calcite made from highest quality crushed white marble included.
  • 5900-BT backwash control valve features fully adjustable backwash and rinse cycles saving water and allowing maximized performance
  • Rugged heavy-duty for years of use. 10 Years Warranty on Tank.
  • 5900-BT heavy duty Blue Tooth enabled backwash control valve features fully adjustable backwash and rinse cycles, saving water and allowing maximized performance.
  • Monitor flow rates, history of water usage and settings from your smart phone if desired.
  • Voltage 110v-230V Power Adapter. Control valve 12VDC. Uses less than 20 watts of power.
  • Legacy View Bluetooth enabled 5900-BT Electronic Control Valve for advanced water usage & flow monitoring from your smart phone!


Includes:
Pipe connectors
Bypass valve
1.0 cubic feet of Calcite filter media
Heavy-Duty 5900-BT control valve
Drain Line
pH Test Kits