Dezincification of bronze/brass alloy fittings can lead to weakness of skin fittings and, in extreme cases, complete failure of the equipment. This could cause uncontrolled flooding of your boat.

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We came across this example, kindly provided by local marine engineer, Neil Astbury of Suire Marine and Industrial and took the chance to take a look - watch, to get an idea of what dezincification can do and what it may look like. A short, sharp, spur-of-the-moment video, so comments/critique welcome :)

Never take any risk when testing skin fittings/hull valves. We recommend regular maintenance to prevent stiffness, seizing and failure. If a valve hasn't been operated for a long time, is corroded, is leaking or feels stiff, always leave it to a professional to check -quickly. This video is for information purposes only.

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Disclaimer: all comments, advice, checks and content are purely our own views and you should always consult a practising professional in all respects. All views are our own. Always ensure the boat is safe to approach and secured against movement by qualified professionals. Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment. Take no risk. Do not base any diagnosis or financial commitment upon this video clip. We hope you enjoy.