Can someone give an explaination of the cause for copper wiring and water pipes to become discolored in a 50 year old home in southern Wisconsin.
Along with many other issues, this panel has no grounding conductor, just the grounded (neutral) conductor. The main service disconnect is at an exterior location. Blackened ground wires are also present in open junction boxes in other parts of the basement.
The stained/tarnished copper water pipes have a black soot-like film over them, but the black-iron pipe and steel conduit are absolutely clean.
There is a possibility of sewer gas entering the area from a nearby improper length laundry drain to a water trap.
This basement appears average for moisture content, with no other signs of chemicals, Chinese drywall, etc.
What’s the explanation?
Jim Fleischmann
Eagle Eye LLC Home Inspections
608 751-6651
608 757-9299
