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Galvanic reaction in in-slab piping caused by refrigerator




September 9, 2009

This is what I think happened. Tell me what you think and if you can help me.

House was built with copper pipe water supply in concrete slab.
Somewhere in slab, copper pipe is in contact with rebar.
The home's refrigerator's ice maker has a copper line from refrigerator connecting with rest of house's water supply. Is it possible that some electrical load from ice maker can accelerate the galvanic reaction between the pipes in the slab?

Pete Santos
architect - Irvine, California


Hi, Pete. Sure, it's "possible" that the refrigerator has an internal ground fault. Plug it into a ground fault protected outlet and see what happens. You haven't told us what damage occurred or what you think occurred yet, and the only possible response is "anything can happen" :-)

Regards,

Ted Mooney, finishing.com
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
September 10, 2009


damage so far has been at least 2 burst pipes within wall..
sheetrock needed replacement repaint... pipe needed replacement....continuing concern that further pipe bursts may occur.

Pete Santos
- Irvine, California, USA
September 12, 2009




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