White stains and rust on copper pipes

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Lordoftheflies

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Going to do a job remodeling a 30-year old house on well water. They want to install a walkin tub for the wife who can't climb the stairs and lives on the first floor.

I'm the project manager/gc and it's a remote job. Will be traveling so I will have to find a local plumber to do the work.

I noticed some nasty white residue at a large number of the joints in the copper. I also saw green rust stains.

They have a water softener.

What is this indicative of? Is the softener not working properly? Poor installation/sweating?

2015-01-31 13.52.14.jpg
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I wish I took a picture of the water softening setup.

Thanks in advance. Any help is greatly appreciated.
 

Reach4

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Could be a tiny leak. Could be an action of flux residue. Try washing one of the joints.
 

Lordoftheflies

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Ok will try but it's on every joint. I find it hard to believe there would be a pinhole leak on every joint. There's more joints I didn't snap a picture of unfortunately.
 

Reach4

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Sounds likely it is the flux. I don't know what cleaner I would use, but probably try a steel or brass brush to help.
 

Plumber69

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That be a mineral deposit..... for that to happen, you have a leak so small it cant be detected. It might only leak once inawhile. Im pretty sure if your pipes frooze at one point, it will stretch the solder joint and weaken it... this would cause it
 

Lordoftheflies

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So how would you fix it? Heat up, and resweat the joints? ALL the joints? Or just leave it? I haven't been back down there yet but again, it is well water and they do have a softener...so maybe the softener is not doing its job well.
 
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