Causes and Prevention of Water Pipe Corrosion

Water pipe corrosion can affect the quality of water in your home or business. You might notice a reduction in water pressure, too. Deterioration of water pipes naturally occurs over time. However, you can slow the erosion through preventative measures. Our expert plumbers in Oro Valley, AZ, can help.

Learn more about what you can do to slow the effects of corrosion in your water pipes.

What Corrosion in Water Pipes Looks Like

Experienced plumbers know how to identify water pipe corrosion in your home or business. However, it isn’t always easy for homeowners to spot physical corrosion. Instead, look for signs that you may have corroded pipes, including:

• Water bills that increase unexpectedly
• Reduced water pressure
• Odd odors, colors, or taste in drinking water
• Cloudy water
• Metal particle contaminants in water, like copper and lead
• Discoloration on pipe exteriors and in sinks and bathtubs
• Thinning of the pipe’s material

Call a licensed plumber if you notice potential signs of corroded plumbing pipes. Our team can inspect your system for specific issues. The earlier we spot corrosion problems, the easier it is to fix them.

Ignoring corrosion could lead to plumbing system problems that are expensive to fix. You may run into leaks or a complete system failure.

What Causes Water Pipe Corrosion

Pipe corrosion is the oxidation of a pipe’s structure. Signs may appear on the outside or inside of the pipes. Corrosion can occur with metal, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipe materials.

Corrosion in the water pipes occurs slowly through normal wear and tear. If you have hard water, minerals can calcify on the interior of the pipes. Highly acidic water can break down the metal structure in the pipes. This causes pitting and other physical issues.

Exposure to electrical currents can also lead to corrosion, as electrolysis causes the materials in the pipe to break down.

Galvanic reactions are possible if you have excessive metals in your water. The metal in the water reacts with the metal in the pipes, causing corrosion.

Preventing Corrosion in Your Plumbing System

Water pipe corrosion is a natural process. You can’t prevent it entirely. However, you can use some techniques to slow its progress.

• Additives: Consider adding filters and chemical substances to your home’s water supply. Calcite neutralizer filters and water softener salt can slow the effects of corrosion.
• Reduced temperatures: Turn down the thermostat on your hot water heater. Capping your hot water temperature at 180 degrees Fahrenheit can slow corrosion.
• Decrease water speed: Try installing water pipes with larger diameters. Larger pipes allow the water to move at a slower speed, which reduces corrosive effects.

Al Coronado Plumbing Can Help With Water Pipe Corrosion

Whether you’re experiencing water pipe corrosion or want to slow the rusting, we can help. Al Coronado Plumbing can determine the best type of pipes to use with your plumbing system. We can make repairs or perform a new installation to fix a severe problem.

To learn more about our plumbing services, call us at (520) 834-8400 today.