Is a soap and water gas leak detecting solution more likely to cause rust than the store's version?

Question

Will a water and soap solution (one tsp of soap in a cup of water) cause a pipe to rust more than BrassCraft Gas Plastic Water Heater Gas Leak Detector?

I doubt there's a list of ingredients on that bottle (unless it has an MSDS), but I'd be shocked if it were anything _more_ than soapy water... It probably has instructions to _not_ shake it, as that will cause the soap to bubble. — FreeMan, Jun 17 '20 at 13:06
Usually also a bit of glycerine for more bubble persistence (take longer to pop, so easier to see.) Which is, of course, also easy to DIY. Or you can get a premade version that comes with a bubble-blowing wand at "mass produced children's toy" pricing. — Ecnerwal, Mar 29 '23 at 15:36

score 5 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 16 '20 at 20:03

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Neither should cause any problem if the solution is dried off after.

answered Jun 16 '20 at 20:03

Solar Mike

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score 0 · Answer 2 · edited Mar 29 '23 at 15:59

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Absolutely dish detergents with chlorides corrode gas line metal! My lines were installed 5 years ago and the residue the plumbers’”soapy water test” left behind ate holes in the metal. Use what the gas company recommends.

edited Mar 29 '23 at 15:59

JACK

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answered Dec 03 '22 at 12:59

Carrie Sekerak

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Are we talking about black iron pipe here, brass fititngs as you'd find with CSST, or copper tubing? – ThreePhaseEel Dec 03 '22 at 16:48

score 0 · Answer 3 · edited Mar 29 '23 at 15:27

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Rinse and dry after testing if you are nervous. Dawn attests that it is non-corrosive.

edited Mar 29 '23 at 15:27

Fredric Shope

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answered Mar 29 '23 at 15:25

Tim Kirkpatrick

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Is a soap and water gas leak detecting solution more likely to cause rust than the store's version?

3 Answers3