Homeowners often take their water and drain lines for granted. After all, you never see them, and so you rarely think of them when everything is working as expected. However, when you begin to experience issues, a closer look from a licensed plumber can reveal that all your plumbing problems stem from pipe corrosion.
The What And Why Of Corrosion
Pipe corrosion is an electrochemical electron exchange that occurs when various metal pipes contact certain substances. As a result, the pipe is losing electrons to the other compounds, and the result will be rust, clogs, or leaks in the water lines throughout your house. The common causes for this theft of these essential electrons include:
- Low PH- when the water has a PH of less than 7, it is considered acidic and will begin to dissolve the pipe from the inside. This is a common reason for leaks in copper piping that should be well within its life expectancy.
- High Oxygen Concentration- When your water has a high oxygen content, it can increase the speed of oxidation or rust, which will cause a faster decline in your metal pipes.
- Undesirable Water Properties- You can see calcium build-up when your home’s water has high mineral content. The calcification causes the pipes to wear more rapidly and increases the potential for leaks.
- High Velocity- Water traveling at a very high speed will erode your home’s water lines from the inside out. This is just one of the reasons that excessively high water pressure should be regulated.
Detecting Corrosion In Your Home
The most common way homeowners become aware of a corrosion issue is its negative impact on their water. Depending on the type of water lines in your home, you could begin to notice any of the following:
- Discoloration
- A Bitter Taste To Your Water
- A Foul Odor To The Water
- Cloudiness Of The Water
- You Begin To Experience Sudden And Unexplained Health Issues
Some signs are more related to your home’s piping and appliances that can tip you off to corrosion issues. These indications include:
- Lower Water Pressure
- Water Line Leaks
- Excessive Pin Hole Leaks
- Rust Stains Or Apparent Rust On Pipes
- Damage To Appliances
If you have noticed signs of rust particles in your water, inside your dishwasher or washing machine, or found rust clogging faucet filters, there is a problem. And even if you have not noticed any leaks, there is a good possibility you have hidden leaks in or under your home.
Preventing Corrosion
The only way to know for sure that your pipes are not being destroyed by corrosion is an inspection from a licensed plumber. In addition, it is vital to have your water tested to ensure that it is healthy. An LSI test will determine the following characteristics of your home’s water:
- PH
- Conductivity
- Alkalinity
- Hardness
- Total Dissolved Solids
If there are any issues with your water, your licensed plumber can recommend a cost-effective way to treat the water to reduce the problems and improve your water quality.
Dealing With External Copper Pipe Corrosion
If you see external corrosion on copper pipes and valves, it is a sign of more significant issues that need the attention of the licensed plumbers at Jeff’s Custom Care Plumbing. Call (262) 710-2808 for an inspection to determine the level of damage and options to correct any issues with your water. In addition, our pros can clean exterior corrosion from the lines with a commercial metal polish for use on copper to eliminate further damage.
Call (262) 710-2808 at the first indication of pipe corrosion to quickly correct any issues with your home’s water quality.