How to Avoid Pipe Corrosion

How to Avoid Pipe Corrosion

Pipe corrosion is a major setback to not only households but also various industries, such as construction companies. While there are several causes of pipe corrosion, the result is catastrophic. For instance, corrosion of water pipes means the entry of harmful substances that are risky to your health. Thankfully, you can avoid such risk by preventing pipe corrosion from occurring. In this case, we’ll look at ways on how to avoid pipe corrosion:

What’s Pipe Corrosion? 

This is the deterioration of the surface of a pipe and the loss of its structural integrity. It can be due to microbial breakdown or chemical reactions. And the most common type of pipe corrosion is rusting resulting from the chemical reaction of metal with oxygen and water. The oxide that forms from this form of pipe corrosion has weaker bonds. As such, the metal ends up crumbling or collapsing. 

Signs of Pipe Corrosion 

To identify if your pipe is experiencing corrosion, please note the following signs: 

  •     Leakages 

Whether it’s a minor or major leak, leakages are not a good sign. Oftentimes, it’s an indication that your pipe has been corroding for a while. And at this point, it has lost its structural integrity. Depending on the size of the corrosion, you may or may not have to replace the entire pipe. 

  •     Discolored water – water turning from clear to yellow or brown is a sign of discoloration.
  •     Age – you need to replace pipes that are over a decade old.

Ways to Avoid Pipe Corrosion

  •     Maintain the pipes clean

Maintaining your pipes clean is an effective way to curb microbiological-induced pipe corrosion. And if the pipes are in the ground, consider chemical treatment whether it’s water or other fluids running through it. But this step is best-left for professional plumbers. 

  •     Prevent Metal-to-Metal Contact

Please note, metals-to-metal contact is disastrous. And this is because it can lead to loss of electrons from one metal to another leading to galvanic corrosion. While the metal gaining electrons will become stronger, the other will lose structural stability. With that said, it’s important to insulate metals and prevent direct contact. 

  •     Keep track of water pressure

Excess water pressure is detrimental to the pipes. And this is because it subjects the pipe to intense stress that triggers corrosion. Therefore, you should address the issue with water pressure immediately to avoid costly pipe replacement. 

  •     Track water composition

The best water PH that’s non-corrosive to pipe must range from 6.5 to 8.5. Also, the water must be cool since hot water triggers corrosion. Lastly, the oxygen levels must be minimal since it’s an ingredient for metal corrosion through rusting. 

  •     Install Metal Protection

There are special metal coatings that professional plumbers can help you install around your pipes. This coating will prevent corrosion from occurring on your pipes. Whether it’s a sealant or galvanization, you must coat the joints and bolts as well. 

  •     Stable Structures 

Moving metal pipes can rub against the surface eliminating the protective layer while allowing corrosive materials to enter. Therefore, bind all the pipes firmly to the surface for stability when in use. 

Final Take 

Lastly, do you want to avoid pipe corrosion on your property? Well, reach out to Flamingo Plumbing for professional help. As experts in offering plumbing solutions, they’ll help you implement a protective measure that guarantees the safety of your pipes. Besides, you can also hire them during construction projects to help you prevent pipe corrosion even before it begins. 

To those living in West Palm Beach and the surrounding area, take advantage of Flamingo Plumbing’s expertise in this field. Finally, you can call them anytime you’re dealing with any sort of plumbing issue.