pinholes in copper

[blacktop37]

Hello plumbing doctors. I have seen several comments on the forum about this problem. We have lived in our homes 25 years. At the end of our addition we have 7 homes on 1 acre lots. Well water 18 grains hard, Pretty high alkaline. Cant remember how high but borderline high. no iron, small mount of dissolved solids. great taste. my Dads copper and a neighbor 6 houses away cannot go 3 months without repairing copper. Soft side or hard same problem. 5 other neighbors no problems at all. The copper gets so thin you can crush it in your hand. also in both houses the inside of the pipe gets a very bright green coating. My pipes have never had this. My dad put his ground from the electric circut box right into the basement floor(very dry basement) with a normal ground rod. Could this be the problem? the rod would never get moisture. I am ready to believe the problem may not be the water.
HELP!!!!!!!!
Thanks sooo much for your help and your much needed opinion

[Redwood]

Are these homes on a comunity well, or, individual wells?
Individual wells may vary.
The grounding may be a factor.

You are facing a problem that is difficult to find the exact problem and cure.
There may be several individual problems adding up into a combination problem.
There is a lot of information here on copperpipe corrosion for your reading pleasure.
http://www.copper.org/

You are asking the right questions and looking in the right areas.
Good luck on finding your cure.

In some cases (many) it is far easier just to repipe using a material such as PEX or CPVC.

[Gary Slusser]

There are many causes for pinholes in copper tubing but electrical grounding is a prime cause. Dad should move is ground electrode (rod) and then test how good a ground he gets; less than 25 ohms is code and when not met, more rods are needed.

Phone, security system, and any other drounds on teh water lines is also a cause. So is bacteria, high DO and CO2 or TDS content. Hot water recirculation is too.

Here is probably the best web site for all things to do with 'corrosion'.

www.corrosion-doctors.org and a search of the site for copper tubing here.

http://www.google.com/custom?q=coppe...on-doctors.org

[blacktop37]

Thanks everyone, I now have some direction Terry this site is so very helpful.

[blacktop37]

Sorry, Yes it is a private well

[blacktop37]

There are many causes for pinholes in copper tubing but electrical grounding is a prime cause. Dad should move is ground electrode (rod) and then test how good a ground he gets; less than 25 ohms is code and when not met, more rods are needed.

Phone, security system, and any other drounds on teh water lines is also a cause. So is bacteria, high DO and CO2 or TDS content. Hot water recirculation is too.

Here is probably the best web site for all things to do with 'corrosion'.

www.corrosion-doctors.org and a search of the site for copper tubing here.

http://www.google.com/custom?q=coppe...on-doctors.org

Gary, Thanks you are very helpful. I was thinking That I would put the ohm meter in series with the rod and the ground wire. But I thot I had better check . I would like to end this nightmare forever.
Steve

[wallyworld]

Gary, Thanks you are very helpful. I was thinking That I would put the ohm meter in series with the rod and the ground wire. But I thot I had better check . I would like to end this nightmare forever.
Steve

You need a specific test rig to check the resistance of a ground rod to the ground. I've never seen it done, most electricians would just drive 2 rods to meet code.

[Ladiesman271]

Gary, Thanks you are very helpful. I was thinking That I would put the ohm meter in series with the rod and the ground wire. But I thot I had better check . I would like to end this nightmare forever.
Steve

Be careful. If there is a problem with the neutral wire provided by the electric company, there is a potential major shock hazard if you remove the ground wire!