I've started working on replacing the section of pipe that
broke.
I'm astounded at how many different, independent problems this section of pipe had.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGLd0x1ka5gKnP_wMfZwi8kL8Fp1D9k4vJkC4sJLpGNTV2Z8P_D-JRq-Yjzy5jlSGhyphenhyphenSE01hzkivSxM5XuWKWorAfe5Re9I2jPmQg1A29-KH6nGHJtMcpbw0_zSlHbciB2RPW_w/s200/100_1243.jpg)
I think this missing chunk of valve is the result of freezing. It may have been the immediate cause of the water, but it wasn't the only problem.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7s0rXbCOGvM-KbdmqFS5UmOoBBTjFq_BwOtjPPUzUscrpTCw2S9NARwYo-WfZKWjMK2pDmFPLHP7u5HbchWMSCsQi7ZPau5fGC0DrFVL871RiOnnRbS4c82-jcvkgjCr7ZYSncA/s200/100_1245.jpg)
This is the cold side. When I cut the valve loose, this joint pulled apart completely. (It is pulled apart about 1/4 inch here). When you sweat a copper joint, you need to clean and flux both sections. Done properly, the solder will wick deep into the joint, wet both surfaces, and make a very strong joint. It is surprisingly easy.
Done wrong, you wind up with something like this--you can see bare copper between the ring of blobby, corroded cold solder joint. I'm amazed it held at all.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0q8mnoJvpdQvon2z_RdAhjU4rGhZvhoGZ2AEq-nLqG-k_XTEBcYkAga8VGYQdVOwHcVafK1p5SULDpx8WWuqJVqJpMLUqIg97_B5Hx-DOYFaeBHQvQiFEojsbaMLJR_2G1oaZ2A/s200/100_1241.jpg)
This is a section of galvanized steel pipe attached to a brass elbow connecting to copper pipe. When connecting copper to galvanized steel, you should use a dielectric joint--basically a section of insulator between the two metals, to prevent galvanic corrosion.
Obviously, brass isn't a proper insulator.
It doesn't really matter which one was the cause--If it didn't go this week, one of the other ones would have let loose soon.
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