Cleaning old (OLD) copper pipe.

[juniperlover]

So a friend asked me to help him remodel an old house (from around the turn of the century I believe). So I go check it out and he leads me to the sub basement where I procede to notice an old unused irrigation system. I asked about it and he said that the previous owners had installed a new system and left all the old pipe just hanging around. I'm literally talking HUNDREDS of feet of 2" and 3" copper here people!!! Bottom line, I want it. I've been looking at building a new reflux column and my wallet is thinking that it's a bad idea...but if I had all that pipe...? Anyway, I want to know if I can clean this stuff. As I mentioned, it's very old and very dirty. What's the best way to make it clean and safe again? I'm thinking a lot of brushing and sanding on the outside, and a few vinegar soaks to be sure. Any other ideas? Anything I should be wary of? Thanks!

[ipee7ABV]

orange juice lots of options. just watch out for lead.

[juniperlover]

Is there a test I can do for the presence of lead?

[Coyote]

Get a lead test at your local hardware store

Or just cut any solder joints out and toss them

Coyote

[NcMoonLight]

Sell some pipe on here for a real good price then youll be able to pay for any projects you wanna do. I know id buy some from ya

[Truckinbutch]

Sell some pipe on here for a real good price then youll be able to pay for any projects you wanna do. I know id buy some from ya

Sounds like a helluva good idea . That sort of scrap should vanish very quickly if offered here .

[wv_hillbilly]

Jealousy, why can't things like this happen to me. Everyone is right, I'm sure that stuff will be taken off your hands very quickly here. Then you have some spare cash for grains.

[juniperlover]

I'll talk to my friend and see what he thinks!

[Halfbaked]

Is the pipe DVM. I might have that incorrect. drain vapor ???? The real thin stuff or like L or K?

[rad14701]

Is the pipe DVM. I might have that incorrect. drain vapor ???? The real thin stuff or like L or K?

DWV (Drain/Waste/Vent)

[juniperlover]

It looks to be a pretty heavy stock, I'd say L or (M?). Based on the setup, it looks like it ran from the original pump, to a cistern (yes, the house has a 15'X7' cistern), and then pumped from there off to the rest of the house. It was definitely not used as a waste removal system though.

[Dnderhead]

if you want ,try a "flap" wheel on a extinction/drill..

[mash rookie]

Any acid soak will clean it up easily. A mild citric to a modest muratic solution would work. You can do a reverse electrolysis too.

[CRACKERCREEK]

Any acid soak will clean it up easily. A mild citric to a modest muratic solution would work. You can do a reverse electrolysis too.

muratic acid will clean it up? Id think it would really eat it up,no? is something like lemon juice better than say white vinegar.

[mash rookie]

You dont use it full strength. Start with a 25% solution and increase as necessary to clean it in a reasonable time. It will loose strength as you clean more pieces.