What Causes Copper Corrosion In Your Plumbing System?

Do you know how much copper corrosion costs? It’s more than $1 billion a year in the US. Copper corrosion is very common in home plumbing systems. There can be several causes of this problem, including piping failure, blue stains left on tubs, sinks, and fixtures due to the oxidized copper. Water with a copper level more than 1.0mg/L is not safe to drink. If there are iron pipes in your plumbing system, water might be rusty or reddish. This water contains sulfur or metallic odors. Corrosion can make your pipes fail in less than ten years.

Corrosion occurs when a substance reacts with its environment, and this causes deterioration of the substance. Metal begins to dissolve into the water. In addition to causing pipe failure, corrosion can also lead to failure of appliances, water heaters, and fixtures. Corrosion in your plumbing system occurs due to chemical and physical reactions between water and the pipe material.

Following Are The Top 9 Causes Of Copper Corrosion:

• Water with a pH level of less than 7.0 (acidic water)

• Water with a pH level greater than 8.5 (alkaline water)

• High levels of salts in water

• High levels of oxygen in the water

• Sulfate or iron bacteria causing corrosion

• Electrochemical causes

• Hydraulic wear on pipes due to the high velocity of water

• Hydraulic wear on pipes due to sediment, sand or other grit

• Poor installation of copper pipes

How To Prevent Copper Corrosion Your House?

• Call one of the best plumbers In Scottsdale for regular inspection of your plumbing system. The plumber can identify the source of the problem. The plumber can also do water analysis to identify the severity of copper corrosion.

• The plumber verifies if there is any wiring or electrical appliance connected to pipes. The plumber also verifies if the piping system is properly grounded or not.

• Find the best plumber in Scottsdale who can ensure that the electrical supply is continuous and consistent throughout the plumbing system. Do not use sections of pipes, plastic water filters or water softener bypass valves made of plastic to separate copper piping electrically. Use jumper cables around these items.

• Ask your plumber to check water hardness, pH level, temperature, alkalinity, and total dissolved solids. Also, ask the plumber to calculate the Langelier Saturation Index. It is important to find out if the water is corrosive or aggressive.

• Cut a small section of copper piping and cut it into half to inspect the type of corrosion. Look for the signs of bad workmanship. If it is necessary, replace copper pipes.

• You can use a soda ash feeder or calcite neutralizer tank to raise the pH level to be normal.

• You can use a phosphate feeder to reduce corrosion effects. Your plumber can use food-grade phosphate to coat the interior surface of piping.

• You can also use a reverse osmosis system with a calcite neutralizer if the total dissolved solid level is more 1000 ppm.

• You can disinfect water by installing a chlorinator or ozone system.

• Report the problem to the municipality, especially if your neighbors are also facing the same problem.

When it comes to health, prevention is better than cure. Same goes for your home plumbing system. If you are buying a new house, find a plumber in Scottsdale for inspection of the plumbing system of your house. A regular plumbing inspection is important, especially if you notice some changes in the color, odor, or taste of water.