Learning that you have corrosive copper pipes can be alarming, especially considering the cost of mitigating a plumbing issue like this. Corroded pipes can leave you with leaks, poor water quality, and expensive property damage if you fail to act quickly.
With this in mind, our plumbing team at Bill Metzger Plumbing thought it would be worthwhile to put together this comprehensive guide on how to identify signs of pipe corrosion. It will also help you understand its root causes, and determine what corrective actions to take. The following sections will also help you make an informed decision about whether or not you should repair or replace a corroded copper piping system.
Identifying Signs of Corrosion
You can typically identify copper corrosion by the greenish-blue stains on your pipes. This and small pitting holes are almost always the first two visual indicators that you have a corrosion issue with your copper piping network. You might also observe dark spots and discoloration along your pipes, both of which tell you something is amiss.
Apart from these common signs, there are a few other red flags we don’t recommend you ignore. If, for instance, you detect an unusual taste in your water, this could be due to particulates from the corrosion contaminating your water supply.
Frequent or ongoing plumbing leaks and reduced water are two more telltale signs that could indicate that your copper pipes have been compromised by corrosion. Keeping an eye out for these symptoms and inspecting regularly will help you resolve your corrosion issues before they become too difficult to manage.
What Causes Copper Pipe Corrosion?
Before taking any remediation and prevention steps, you’ll need to identify the underlying causes of your corrosive pipes. Corrosion can arise from multiple factors, ranging from the chemistry of your municipal water supply to environmental conditions impacting your pipes. The ability to pinpoint the source of your corrosion problems will help protect your plumbing system.
Following are the two leading causes of copper pipe corrosion.
Chemical Reactions With Your Water
The specific chemistry of the water passing through your copper pipes can significantly contribute to corrosion. For example, if your water displays low pH levels, this tells you that it’s acidic. Water high in acidity causes copper to deteriorate at faster rates than pH-balanced water. Along these same lines, high levels of dissolved oxygen in your water supply accelerate oxidation, causing the pipe’s copper to erode more rapidly.
Outside Environmental Factors
External environmental factors, such as the local climate, can also contribute to copper pipe corrosion. High humidity, not unlike acidic water, exacerbates oxidation, while electrical grounding provokes an electromechanical reaction that similarly speeds up corrosion. When you have both of these factors at play, they can significantly impact the integrity and lifespan of your copper piping system.
Estimating the Severity of Your Corrosion
After identifying the initial signs of corrosion, we strongly recommend calling in an expert to evaluate the extent of the damage. One of our plumbers can provide you with a concise report indicating the scope of your damage. We’ll let you know how severe the corrosion is and instruct you in plain language on how we can restore the faulty pipes. If the corrosion is bad enough to warrant replacing your pipes, we’ll provide you with a detailed plan outlining the recommended next steps.
After conducting your initial inspection and identifying corrosion on the easily accessible sections of your pipes, you need a knowledgeable professional to dive deeper into your plumbing network. This is where a licensed plumber comes into play. When you schedule an inspection with one of our experts, you’ll benefit from our specialized techniques that entail a video scope analysis and various pressure tests.
Such technical industry tools help expose plumbing issues invisible to the naked eye. They can measure the thickness of your walls, pinpoint hidden leaks beneath your floors, and locate other weaknesses in your plumbing system. Consulting a professional is the best approach for ensuring no aspect of your corrosion gets overlooked.
Deciding to Repair or Replace Corroded Pipes
Once you’ve determined how far along your corrosion issue is, you’ll likely need to choose between repairing the affected areas of your pipes or replacing them entirely. This decision almost always hinges on the extent of the corrosion along with the age and condition of your plumbing system.
Both options have their upsides. Repairing the pipes saves you money while replacing them can help protect you against future maintenance costs, especially if your system is older. Let’s take a look at a few scenarios in which a repair makes sense and others that will likely warrant a full replacement.
When to Consider Repairs
If the professional inspection confirms that your corrosion problems are minor and confined to a specific area, it may be possible to restore the pipes using epoxy pipe lining. This corrective measure will seal off the internal surfaces and protect them from additional corrosion damage. For more localized corrosion, you may have the option of patching the leaks with a specialized sealant or an epoxy putty.
When to Consider a Replacement
Widespread corrosion in your piping system will likely require a full replacement. Extensive corrosion like this can compromise the rest of your piping network and cause significant water damage. Replacing your copper pipes with modern solutions such as cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) or chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) can provide resistance to corrosion and durability.
Let’s suppose the corrosion is attributable to your water chemistry, for instance. While filtering your water may correct the problem, it could be more cost-efficient to replace your pipes with a solution that provides better long-term benefits than to continue making frequent repairs.
Safeguarding Against Future Corrosion Issues
The best strategy for avoiding serious corrosion with your copper pipes is to routinely inspect them and consult a professional if you suspect a problem. Checking your pipes, fittings, and joints regularly can help prevent a plumbing catastrophe and avoid costly repairs.
There are also a few water treatment solutions that potentially extend the shelf life of your copper piping network. Likewise, treating your water removes its corrosive elements. You can try using neutralizers to balance your pH levels and lower your water’s acid content. A water filtration system delivers added plumbing protection after purifying your water supply. Our team offers multiple filtration solutions to help remove minerals and particulates that accelerate corrosion.
Addressing Your Copper Pipe Corrosion Issues
Dealing with a corroded piping system is undoubtedly a hassle, but choosing the right plumbing service can make all the difference in realizing the most successful outcomes. Here at Bill Metzger Plumbing, we help San Clemente homeowners choose between pipe repair and replacement options to find a lasting solution for their corroded copper pipes.
In addition to our regular plumbing maintenance and water treatment solutions, we also assist customers with gas line installations, sump pumps, and trenchless sewer line repair. Our locally owned and operated company has been serving the San Clemente area continuously since 1961. You can rely on our over 50 years of experience as licensed and insured plumbers to provide expert solutions at an affordable cost.
For more on mitigating copper pipe corrosion or to schedule your next plumbing service, contact us at Bill Metzger Plumbing today.
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