Summary for water softener turned hair green Discussion
Water softener turned customer's hair green is a troubleshooting question about whether new copper pipes need a waiting period before a whole-house softener is started. Jennifer Cantisano, a plumbing business owner in Santa Clarita, California, said the home had newly installed copper piping, the softener was turned on immediately, and the customer then reported green hair. She wondered if the pipes needed time to develop a mineral coating to prevent problems. The only answer in the thread, from an unnamed responder, did not address a required curing period for copper pipe. Instead, the responder advised checking the pH of the water coming out of the softener and said they believed the problem was in the softener itself. The exchange suggests the issue may be related to water chemistry from the softening system rather than the new copper piping alone.
Q. I would like to know if there is a time period suggested for new copper pipes in a home to be allowed to have before installing a whole house water softening system. I need to know if there is a scientific conclusion that indicates that the water should run through the new copper pipes to have an opportunity to create a coating of minerals, etc. to prevent problems.
I need to know because we have a plumbing business and installed new copper pipes into a home where the owner was sold a water softening system and started it up immediately. The owner started having a problem with her hair turning green. Our understanding is that the copper pipe needs some time without a system so to allow the proper minerals to attach. The installation was all properly completed and approved by the city Have you heard of anything like this? We would appreciate any help on this question.
Thank you,
Jennifer Cantisano
plumbing – Santa Clarita, California, USA
2004
A. HAVE YOU CHECKED THE PH FOR THE WATER OUT OF THE SOFTENER? I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS IN THE SOFTENER.
GOOD LUCK
Khair Shishani
aircraft maintenance – Al Ain, UAE
2004