That shot with the saddle…
Last year I noted that every place I had a leak, I had mold growth identical to that.
Both upstream and downstream of the leak.
Is there a chance that saddle may be leaking?
I was able to clean mine with some bailing string (cheap at Tractor Supply), a bottle brush (kitchen drawer) and a roll of semi rigid 5/16ths (Leader 30-P).
The 5/16ths works really well as a fish tape, string to both ends of the brush (snap off the handle), pull the brush back and forth through the tube (you’ll figure it out). For longer runs I popped a saddle and pulled the string out through the hole.
I pulled about 30 gal of fresh water through when I was done with the brush and did it during the January thaw.
Oh, and don’t forget to replace the brush or the wife will beat you about the head and shoulders.
If she questions why she has a new one, claim ignorance (brush fairy must’ve thought she needed an upgrade), works for me.
42.67N 84.02W
350 taps- 300 on vacuum, 50 buckets
JD gator 625i Sap hauler w/65 gal tank
Leader 2X6 drop flue
Homemade auto draw-off
Homemade preheater
Homebrew RO, 2- xle-4040's
LaPierre double vertical releaser
Kinney KC-8 vacuum pump
12X24 shack
Lots of chickens and a few cats.