Apparently, There Was a leak in my building, and so The maintenance guys soldered copper pipes The Leading to my kitchen sink. Now the Water pressure IS weak super (That, I’m Sure They Will Eventually fix), my big goal —- all concerned of a sudden, the Water smells really strange. Not like sewage – but more of a “Chemically” smell, like freezer burn or Something. It’s just a very odd odor. I am afraid to wash my dishes in it. Has anybody Heard Of this odor problem after a pipe repair? Is this normal? If Not, What Could Be Causing sudden this smell? Thank you
April 21st, 2011 on 10:31 pm
turn on your water and run it for awhile, it will help to flush it out
April 21st, 2011 on 11:21 pm
they use propane flames to melt solder between the copper fittings so the pipes won’t leak. You are tasting and smelling the flux, smoke and solder used.
Let the water run and it should go away rather quickly.
The water pressure should be back where it was unless they inadvertently failed to turn the spigots back on, or they left something in one of the pipes.
Check the spigots to insure they are wide open. If you still don’t have water pressure, unscrew the aerator on the end of the sink faucets, and see if the water pressure improves. If it does, the material left in the pipes has plugged your aerator.
Carefully take the aerator apart, taking CARE TO NOTE how the aerator came apart so you can put it back together. Clean the holes with a sewing needle and the screen. That should remove all debris from the pipe.
April 21st, 2011 on 11:48 pm
could be the flux from the soldering and the copper oxide from the process of heating the copper…..let it run for a while and don’t drink it
April 22nd, 2011 on 12:23 am
If pipes are soldered they use a flux, which is an acid paste. It cleans the pipes so the solder will stick. You should flush your pipe and I am sure the smell will disappear.