Are My Pipes Corroded? A Guide

Plumbing systems play a crucial role in making our homes comfortable and functional, yet often go unsung. Pipes are essential in providing water to faucets, showers, and toilets and collecting wastewater for disposal. Over time, however, pipes may encounter various forms of damage; one such is corrosion. In this guide by Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we'll look closer at this issue while offering advice about what steps can be taken to resolve it.

Understanding Corroded Pipes

Corrosion occurs naturally when metal reacts with its environment and gradually degrades over time, eventually breaking down completely. For plumber's purposes, this corrosion means your pipes could develop rust or weaken over time as corrosion sets in - particularly for older pipes like iron and steel pipes - leaving leaks, low water pressure, or contamination of your drinking supply unchecked and undetected.

Identification of Corroded Pipes

Spotting corrosion-damaged pipes may be tricky, but there are certain indicators you can watch out for to identify them early. Look out for:

Discolored Water: If the color of your tap water changes from brownish to a reddish hue, this could indicate that rust has entered your pipes and is mixing with them, leading to discolored streams from each faucet in your home. If this occurs regularly, contact an expert asap so you don't risk ruining any pipes!
Unusual Taste or Smell: Corroded pipes may give your water an unusual taste or smell. Further investigation should be undertaken immediately if tap water suddenly takes on metallic or other unfamiliar qualities.
Visible Stains or Flaking: When inspecting visible pipes for signs of rust or flaking metal corrosion from within, look out for any visible rust stains or flaking metal that might indicate that corrosion has started at its source. This could indicate that pipes have started corroding from within out.
Frequent Leaks: If your older pipes are regularly leaking, corrosion could weaken their structure and lead to leaks.
Take Action: As soon as you detect corrosion in your pipes, you must take swift and decisive action - waiting could result in more extensive and expensive damages that need addressing immediately. Here's what can help:

Contact Professionals

It is best to seek professional plumbing help from Mr. Rooter Plumbing when pipe corrosion becomes an issue to evaluate its severity and provide recommendations regarding the next steps. A trained professional plumbing service can assess the situation, identify its cause, and suggest effective courses of action for repair/replacement/maintenance/repair based on expert assessment and advice.

Inspection and Assessment: Your plumber will thoroughly evaluate your plumbing system using special tools to check hidden pipes for wear and tear. Based on their assessment, they may provide options for repair or replacement to address any potential problems in the system.
Pipe Repair: When corrosion damage hasn't caused severe problems, plumbers may be able to make repairs by cleaning off corrosion build-up, applying protective coatings, or installing a brand-new liner into a section of pipe that has been affected. This might involve cleaning off corrosion deposits while applying coatings or adding an entirely new inner liner lining.
Pipe Replacement: When corrosion has compromised the structural integrity of pipes, the replacement could be the best course of action. This involves taking measures such as extracting old, corroded ones from service and installing brand-new ones. However this might seem daunting at first, but replacing these outdated plumbing structures with reliable ones is vital to create and sustaining reliable plumbing systems that serve residents effectively and safely.

Prevention Steps

Once the issue of corrosion-corroded pipes has been addressed, steps should be taken to help ward off similar issues in the future:

Maintain Regular Maintenance: For optimal plumbing performance, scheduling regular inspections will allow early identification and resolution of potential issues before they become major concerns.
Consider Pipe Materials: When renovating or building your home, opt for materials less likely to lead to corrosion, like plastic and copper pipes for your pipe system.
Monitor Water Quality: Make it a point to evaluate your water's quality regularly. If there are any sudden variations in color, flavor, or smell, it's wise to investigate further.

Mr. Rooter Plumbing

Your home's plumbing system is an intricate network that needs proper care to function optimally. Corroded pipes can quickly become an enormous headache if left unattended. Leakage, low water pressure, and potential health concerns could ensue due to corrosion issues that go undetected for too long. By being vigilant for signs of corrosion early enough and promptly seeking professional plumbing advice from Mr. Rooter Plumbing if an issue arises, your system can remain reliable and efficient for many years to come.