We often think of our home plumbing system as indestructible. After all, metal is known for its strength as well as its durability. But corroded pipes can sneak up on homeowners. They can lead to serious systemic damage and you may need whole house repiping. In this post, we’d like to share with you two major issues that can lead to severe corroded pipes within your home. If you’re concerned with your pipes, then don’t hesitate to call for plumbing repair in Orlando, FL. Call Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) today!
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Your home plumbing materials are made out of plastic, concrete, or metal. While both plastic and concrete pipes tend to resist corrosion, metals are susceptible. But what is corrosion? Metal corrosion involves the constant release of ions of the metal into the water. Rust is probably the most well-known form of corrosion, and it involves the electrochemical oxidation of the metal in reaction to the oxygen in the air. When there is a substantial difference in the mineral composition of the metal piping and the water that runs through it, corrosion can result. Let’s take a look at common reasons for corroded pipes.
- Flux problem: The term “flux” names a kind of paste cleaning agent used in the copper pipe soldering process. Plumbers use flux to facilitate soldering because dirt, oil, and oxidation at the site of the soldering can present obstacles to a successful joint. Muriatic acid cleans the joint and thus prepares it for bonding. But the downside of flux is that it may actually begin to react with the copper pipe itself if the pipe installation is delayed. If cold or hot water does not run through those pipes relatively soon after installation, then the acidity may pose problems to the integrity of the joint.
- Water acidity: The alkalinity, hardness, and pH of the water running through the pipes all contribute to corrosive or scale-forming results. If the pH of your water is low, then your water is acidic and this often leads to enhanced levels of pipe corrosion.
We hope this helps you to better understand why pipes corrode. When you need comprehensive plumbing repair in Orlando, FL, call Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI)!