Go Back

Posted on August 22, 2019 by

How to Stop Corroded Pipes

Your pipe system is one of the most important components within your home – essential for daily living. Without your piping system, you wouldn’t be able to filter in water for bathing, cooking, cleaning, and drinking.
Because it’s such an essential part of your home, it’s important to take vigilant care of it. Pipe corrosion is one of the number one causes of plumbing issues within the home.
In this article, we’ll explore how to stop corroded pipes and what you can do to maintain your plumbing system in good shape.

Why Pipe Corrosion Happens

When your pipes succumb to erosion, it can turn into a costly issue. Not only can it be expensive, but it can also cause health problems when consumed; this is because toxic metals like lead and copper can leach into the water supply. There are a few different reasons pipe corrosion happens:

  • pipecorrosionIf the water is too oxygenated, it can lead to metal degradation and rust. When this happens, impurities will begin to collect on the walls of the piping and cause blockages and lower water flow.
  • If water is too hot, it can cause corrosion.
  • If the PH is too low in the water, it can lead to corrosion.
  • Certain minerals in the water can cause corrosion.
  • Water velocity and direction can lead to corrosion.

How Clean Pipes Can Keep Away Corrosion

cleanpipesWhile, at times, corrosion is inevitable; there are certain precautions you can take to help prevent your pipes from corroding. Keeping clean pipes is one of these precautions.
When you utilize a method to regularly clean your pipes, it can help keep too much build-up and blockages from occurring due to corrosion.
Try pouring a gallon of distilled white vinegar down your drain after you’ve scrubbed the area and drained any excess liquid.
After pouring the vinegar, wait 30 minutes and then scrub the pipes with a long-handled brush. Rinse away the vinegar. This can help to flush away and get rid of mineral deposits in your pipes that may be causing stops and blockages.

Cleaning Your Pipes Can Prevent Urgent Repiping

repipingWhen you do what you can to keep your current pipes free of corrosion and mineral build-up, it can help you avoid the process of repiping your home.
When your home is repiped, essentially all the pipes that bring water into the home would need to be replaced as well.
Cleaning your pipes can keep them in good-as-new condition – almost as if you did a repiping! If you think your pipes may be corroded, it’s important that you get a plumbing professional in right away to assess the situation.
You can often tell there may be corrosion if the water tastes or smells funny, has a discoloration, if you’re experiencing leakages, or if the pipes are regularly clogging. Call The Plumbing Dr, and we can schedule one of our experienced plumbing experts to go to your home right away to assess. Call us today at (703) 525-9280.