Plumbing question-No Ground causing plating to FAIL??

[y2khardtop]

I know this is a little off topic, but local plumbers certainly don't know the answer.

Long story short, my plumber used flexible fittings (plastic, nylon?) to connect a very expensive tub faucet for me. It is satin nickel over brass. In less than one year, the plating started coming off. Basically, it looked like rust coming from underneath the plating.

The part has a 10 year warranty, so replacement wasn't a problem, but I don't want to have to go through this every year.

Is it possible that the non-metallic plumbing could allow some sort of induced current (from flowing water) damage the finish I ran a wire from the new fixture to a good electrical ground just to be safe, but I'm curious if this is even a possibility?

Thanks

[sswee]

There is a reaction seen in the automotive trade that is pretty much what you are describing. It causes premature failure of radiators and heater cores. The repair on an auto is a better ground or additional grounding. I am not sure of the scientific jargon but I think it had something to do with ionization occurring under certain conditions. I haven't seen any commonalities in the vehicles that it occurred in.
SS

[clayboyrat]

I would think that your house already has a ground on its copper piping. I would look into that to make sure it does.It should run from the pipe to your ground rod outside not an electrical box. This is a must if you have an electrical water heater.

[ashcroft01]

y2khardtop,

Just a little bit more input on this subject.

The plating problems are most likely due to a poor preparation in the original plating process from the factory. Most likely a fluke, but not caused by any type of stray current emanating through your plumbing due to the use of PEX or plastic water lines not being grounded.

Copper tubing does not require a ground either when run. The house itself is grounded electrically (required), and a lot of times contractors will put a ground lug onto a piece of copper water line (this really upsets the plumbers) to ground an electrical circuit somewhere it shouldn't be.

My guess is that it probably will not happen again.

[clayboyrat]

Well I know its code in Florida to ground the copper with an electric water heater. A Friend of mind didn't get a CO to move in till he had one put in his new house. This has Tobe grounded to the ground rod not the box. We try to ground it to the box and failed again. Its a plus I would think if the heating coil goes bad even though the unit is grounded . It maybe that the state has the most lighting strikes.Not sure but, I know you need it there for some reason.I live in Ohio now and I don't know if this house is grounded that way or not. I know its not right by the water heater.