Plumbing problems are always frustrating, due to their lack of obvious symptoms. Still, even though the majority of the plumbing network is hidden from view, there are often at least a few signs that a problem is occurring. Lower water pressure, discolored water, and the like are all common symptoms. However, one of the most dangerous plumbing problems does not have any symptoms that can be identified without looking directly at the pipe: pitted corrosion. Let’s take a closer look at pitted corrosion, and the damage it can cause to your plumbing system.
What Is Pitted Corrosion?
The air and soil is full of all kinds of chemical traces, including chlorine. While the copper that makes up your plumbing pipes is very resistant to most forms of corrosion, it does not react well to chlorine. Exposure to too much chlorine will cause the copper to corrode, opening up small holes in the pipe. These are called “pinhole leaks.”Why Pinhole Leaks Are a Problem
Pinhole leaks are so small that they don’t cause a decrease in water pressure, which is typically what warns homeowners of a leak. Even though they only release a couple of drops at a time, they have months and months to inflict water damage over a wide area thanks to the lack of detection. This means that homeowners typically don’t notice pinhole leaks until they see the damage inflicted on a wide section of a wall or floor. By then, it’s too late to mitigate the damage. The best way to stop pinhole leaks early is to have your pipes inspected at least once a year. This allows us to find and seal pinhole leaks before they can cause too much damage.Call Magnolia Plumbing, Heating & Cooling for information on our plumbing services. We serve the entire Alexandria, VA area.
