Water Pipe Corrosion: How Does It Happen?

Are you having issues with water pipe corrosion? Let Formica Plumbing & Sewer Co. address your water pipe corrosion concerns. Call us at (440) 943-0033 today!

Water pipe corrosion can affect many different types of piping systems and lead to a compromised water supply. Understanding water pipe corrosion and how to remedy it can help to protect your pipes and know when to call a plumber for water pipe repair. 

Although corrosion is a natural process, it can still cause health risks if it isn’t taken care of. If you suspect corrosion, get in touch with an experienced and skilled plumber in Cleveland Heights today.

What Is Water Pipe Corrosion?

Corrosion happens naturally over time and is a byproduct of a chemical reaction between the piping material and corrosive elements in the environment. When the metal pipe comes into contact with corrosive elements, the metal oxidizes and its electrochemical structure changes, causing it to break down. As this happens, the piping material leaches into the water supply and can create health risks. 

Both metal piping is most prone to corrode, but corrosion can also occur in non-metallic piping systems. Although copper pipes can last 30 to 50 years, they are still susceptible to corrosion. To avoid the damaging effects of corrosion on your piping system, avoid contaminating your water source, and prevent potential health risks, it’s important to take steps to repair or replace the corroded piping. 

Pipe Corrosion Causes

Pipe corrosion occurs in many different types of piping materials and can result in clogs, rust, or leaks. Below are some of the most common causes of pipe corrosion:

• Hard Water: Water with a high mineral content can cause minerals to build up and calcify on the metal pipes. 
• Acidic Water: Acidic water has a low pH, and the excess acid can break down the metallic structure of the pipes. Acidic water can corrode and disintegrate a pipe from the inside until it reaches the pipe’s outer structure.
• Electricity: Underground electrical currents interact with copper piping, causing an electrochemical reaction that results in corrosion.
• Overuse of Drain Cleaners: While drain cleaners you can buy at the hardware store might be your go-to to dissolve stubborn clogs, they actually do more harm than good. Chemical drain cleaners are overpowered and can eat away at your steel, copper, or PEX pipes.
• Metals in the Water: Another culprit of corrosion is metals in the water, which cause electrons to transfer from the metals in the pipe. 
• High Water Pressure: In piping systems with pumps, such as circulating hot water systems, the water can move too quickly through the pipes and cause them to corrode. 
• Very Hot Water: A very high water temperature can cause corrosion. It’s better to set the water heater to 180 degrees Fahrenheit or below to prevent burns and protect the piping system. 

How Corrosion Affects Water Quality

Water pipe corrosion affects the quality of the water you drink and can even cause health risks if you drink the corroded water. 

Corrosion can lead to discolored water, bitter water, a bad smell, or cloudiness in the water. If your home has copper pipes, the corrosion can cause the water to become stained or even have a bluish hue. High levels of copper in the water due to corrosion can cause kidney and liver damage, so don’t wait to call a plumber if you notice signs of corroded pipes. 

The Effects of Corroded Pipes

When the entire piping system fails due to corrosion, the repiping process can be extensive. A plumber can repair a small amount of corrosion, but widespread water pipe corrosion affects the integrity of the entire plumbing system. In addition to plumbing system failure, corrosion can also result in stains in the sinks and faucet handles, which can detract from the appearance and value of your home.

Water pipe corrosion can lead to clogs, cracks, and pipe damage like cracks and pinholes. If water damage has occurred as a result of damaged piping, this can be very costly to repair.

How to Tell If Your Pipes Have Corrosion 

You may be wondering how you can tell whether or not your home has water pipe corrosion. Luckily, the signs of corrosion are obvious and will help you to spot corrosion before it gets worse. By remedying corroded pipes quickly, you can avoid costly repair damage and other detrimental effects. 

The signs of water pipe corrosion include:

• Higher than normal water bills
• Discolored water
• Bad smelling water
• Bitter tasting water
• Cloudy water 
• Low water pressure

If you see any of these signs of corrosion, it’s important to contact an experienced plumbing company right away. Your plumber will be able to locate and repair the corrosion before it worsens. 

How to Prevent Pipe Corrosion

Since corrosion is a natural process, it can be challenging to prevent it entirely. However, you can take several steps to inhibit the spread of the corrosion and slow down the process. 

Steps to take to slow corrosion include:

• Keeping electric currents away from the piping
• Placing additives in the water to balance pH slows down corrosion
• Installing special filters that contain calcite to neutralize the corrosion
• Reducing the water temperature to 180 degrees Fahrenheit or below

These practices can reduce the level of corrosion in your home’s piping system and help you avoid whole-house repiping. Although there isn’t a method to eliminate corrosion altogether, taking the right steps can help to reduce the rate at which it occurs. 

Give Formica Plumbing & Sewer Co. A Call Today 

Formica Plumbing & Sewer Co. is the name you can trust for quality plumbing and sewer services. If you suspect that your home has water pipe corrosion, get in touch with us to find out about our stress-free, no-hassle water pipe replacement services. 



To learn more about how we can help you fix water pipe corrosion and schedule plumbing and sewer services, call Formica Plumbing & Sewer Co. today at (440) 943-0033. We are here for all of your plumbing needs!