Strange white/clear gel disintegrating valve

[Zick]

I'm trying to figure out what this stuff is. We have a cold water line that I put a diverter valve onto about 1 year ago. It's for a auto filler on a water tank. It just keep the tank topped off so it runs very little and very slowly.

After a year, I noticed the valve started to leak. When I tried taking it off it completely broke off. :eyecrazy:

What I found inside is what is bothering me more. It looks like a white semi clear gel substantance that was completely blocking up the valve and the valve appears to be disintegrating.

We are on a well (only 3 years old) and all our lines are PEX.

Anyone know what this stuff is?

 

[boomer1025]

Looks like lime or calcium, see that alot in well water. I bet your water heater is also loaded with it.

 

[lockhaven]

I do not think lime or calcium would cause the erosion of the fitting, I have enough lime in my water to put on the lawn but have never had it attack a fitting.

 

[Zick]

I just drain our water heater last fall and did not see anything unusual coming out of it.

 

[Egon]

Pipe dope and a big pipe wrench.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

It looks like it might be a lime hydroxide of some kind, but I can't imagine what it would be doing in your water. Sometimes hydroxides are used to flocculate (treat for turbity) water, but this amount would be excessive. It obviously isn't dissolving in your water; try a little vinegar...if it dissolves, it is basic. In any case, I would get a sample of my water to the health department for testing.

 

[Western]

I have found the same thing in 2 different wells, only after several bleach treatments. I usually find it on the hot water side though. Have no clue what it is, but lean towards something to do with the chlorine or a reaction of some sort.

 

[Zick]

It looks like it might be a lime hydroxide of some kind, but I can't imagine what it would be doing in your water. Sometimes hydroxides are used to flocculate (treat for turbity) water, but this amount would be excessive. It obviously isn't dissolving in your water; try a little vinegar...if it dissolves, it is basic. In any case, I would get a sample of my water to the health department for testing.

It does seem to dissolve in water if you rub it around. I think the problem is appearing worse than normal because the water line barely runs and when it does, the water is moving very slowly.

I will try some vinegar on it later tonight and see what happens. The hardest part has been trying to find out if there are tests I can do myself at home to try and see what this stuff is.

I have found the same thing in 2 different wells, only after several bleach treatments. I usually find it on the hot water side though. Have no clue what it is, but lean towards something to do with the chlorine or a reaction of some sort.

We've never shocked or put any treatments down our well. But since we're on a well, would it make a difference if say our neighbors are putting stuff in their well?

 

[Kays Supply]

As far as the brass breaking down goes, it is probably dezincavcation of the brass. I see it alot with the cheap Chinese yellow brass. I have had to go to American made red brass fittings and valves. The zinc leaves the copper in the brass and makes it weak and it develops very small holes that leak and form crusty white deposits.