Copper pipe corrosion

Q: How can I stop my copper water pipes from turning green? My house is three years old, and I’m concerned about this corrosion. I thought copper was supposed to last a long time.

A: Yes, the green colour you're seeing on your water supply pipes is corrosion, but there's no need to worry. A little is normal. I've never seen external copper pipe corrosion reduce the working life of a plumbing installation because it’s a self-limiting process. The formation of the green layer seals the surface and protects against further corrosion. You're safe to forget about your green pipes.