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copper main and iron spigots

801 Views 7 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  DIYGST
The meter and main line coming in is 1" copper.
The interior plumbing are copper as well.
I noticed the 2 outside spigots in the side and backyard are iron with threads and a spigot is spun on.

I was wondering if this was common or where around the house did the plumbing changed to iron?.. home is in California 1990 slab foundation.
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Most exterior spigots are cart brass with nickle plating--if they are Iron--electrolysis may occur which will corrode the connection--making replacement a bad experience.
What I meant is that the pipe coming out of the stucco is iron.
happens to have some threads on the pipe with and a brass spigot on it..

have to put a magnet on the pipe to confirm but I don't believe it is possible to thread the a pipe that way if it is copper.
Got you---they used a galvanized nipple to couple the copper to the spigot---you may be fine --but that would have been better if brass or copper was used----expect some trouble when the time comes to replace the spigot---the threads may be a bit corroded.

I do not suggest that you change it now---just be prepared for extra work if you ever find seepage or have a failure of the spigot---
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You cant thread copper pipe. You can sweat a male or female copper or brass adapter to it though.
Got you---they used a galvanized nipple to couple the copper to the spigot---you may be fine --but that would have been better if brass or copper was used----expect some trouble when the time comes to replace the spigot---the threads may be a bit corroded.

I do not suggest that you change it now---just be prepared for extra work if you ever find seepage or have a failure of the spigot---
Yes it appears so.. I am concerned how much galv. plumbing I have inside the walls?

Why isn't the copper plumbed all the way outside the stucco?

and should I be concerned about the builder threading the galvinized into the copper connection, which I assume a stub was soldered on and that should be a brass material. and copper-brass-iron is acceptable connection correct?
The copper pipe has a threaded flange behind the wall---that is what is done by most plumbers--then,after the house siding is completed----a short threaded nipple is inserted through a hole in the siding --into the copper or brass threaded flange---the spigot is installed onto the exposed end of the nipple---

No sneaky business going on with the builder---no plumber is going to use threaded steel pipe unless it's a short nipple like that---threaded galvanized is to expensive and time consuming compared to copper or other modern materials.

It would have beed better,had they used a brass nipple or made up a copper one----but failure seldom happens in this situation---so I would not be concerned until there is a problem--then figure some extra time to install the new spigot---
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Thanks I understand now!
:thumbup:
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