Everything You Need to Know About Pipe Corrosion
Here at Boss Plumbing, we can tell you that when you have rust in pipes, you’ve got a problem. As rust buildup occurs, metal crumbles and flakes away, leaving you with weak pipes that will burst or leak sooner rather than later. However, the good news is that our team is excellent at making plumbing repairs that can remove rust or replace corroded pipes. If you wonder why pipes rust and what can be done about them, here’s what we know here at Boss Plumbing.
What Causes Rusty Pipes?
When you have old pipes, chances are you have rust on most if not all of the pipes. Basically, rust is a chemical reaction between iron and oxygen that is brought about by contact with water. In older homes, pipes are made from galvanized steel. Unfortunately, while the pipes look fine from the outside, these pipes rust from the inside out. As a result, you may not realize you have a problem until your pipes spring a leak. Over time, rust buildup can constrict water flow, increasing water pressure that can lead to a bursted pipe.
Is Rust in Water Pipes Harmful?
In most instances, water drunk from pipes that have rust inside them will not be harmful to your health, based on research from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. However, if your home is older and has galvanized pipes that have rusted and corroded, lead could make its way into your home’s drinking water. As more rust forms inside the corroded pipes, lead that has accumulated within zinc can release into the drinking water. Rather than put your health at risk, it is better to have a plumber examine your pipes to determine if pipe replacement is needed.
Can You Fix Rusty Pipes?
To answer this question, it will depend on how much rust has accumulated on the inside and outside of the pipes. In our opinion, once rust takes hold on older pipes, most fixes will only be putting a band-aid on a major problem. However, if the damage appears minor, the outside of the pipe can be scrubbed with a wire brush, then sanded down using a very fine sandpaper. Afterwards, applying naval jelly to the pipe surface can help dissolve the rust, and painting it will help keep rust at bay. As for the pipe’s interior, rust should only be removed if that section of pipe does not directly feed into parts of your plumbing system used for drinking water or food preparation. When this is the case, that section of rusted pipe should be replaced.
How Do You Remove Rust from Plumbing Pipes?
1. Shut off the Water at Main Valve
Since you don’t want any unexpected surprises in the middle of your job, shut off the water at the main water valve. Also, place a tarp underneath the pipe to catch whatever debris falls off once you begin scrubbing.
2. Scrub with Wire Brush and Sandpaper
When you scrub the pipe with a wire brush and sandpaper, remember that the more you scrub and sand, the thinner the metal will be on the pipe. Since this will put the pipe at greater risk of leaking, think carefully about whether replacing the pipe may be a better option.
3. Dissolve Rust with Naval Jelly
An effective rust-removing gel, naval jelly should be applied by wearing gloves and working in an area that has sufficient ventilation. Very hazardous, it should not come into contact with cement or fiberglass, and should also be kept away from children and pets.
4. Clear the Inside Rust
To do this, a steel pick will need to be used if the rust is accessible. If not, you can use Calcium, Lime, and Rust (CLR) that is poured into the pipe to loosen up and dissolve the rust.
Do Rusty Pipes Need to be Replaced?
When we get calls from customers about rusty pipes, we usually find that some pipes need to be replaced, while others can be repaired. For example, if there is only a small patch of rust on a pipe, we can often use either epoxy or a clamp fitting to solve the problem. However, if the pipes are extremely old and are beginning to show significant signs of rust and corrosion, we tend to recommend a pipe replacement instead of patchwork repairs. As we said earlier, pipes that are rusted on the outside are also rusted on the inside, meaning the problem is only going to worsen each year.
Rust Prevention
While you may assume rust in pipes is inevitable, that is not the case at all. In fact, we at Boss Plumbing can recommend several steps you can take to keep your pipes from rusting and corroding. First, protect your pipes. You can coat your pipes with paint or waterproof sealants that will keep moisture from penetrating the pipe surface. Also, try to prevent your pipes from getting scratched, since this provides the opening rust needs to begin forming. Pipe insulation is also an excellent way to keep pipes from rusting, since it can prevent the metal from coming into contact with moisture. Finally, we always recommend you inspect your pipes regularly for signs of rust or corrosion. If you see visible signs or notice your pipes are starting to sag or make odd noises, give us a call.
Contact Our Team
Now that you know all about rusty pipes and the fine line between repairing rust in pipes or having your home undergo a pipe replacement, don’t hesitate to contact us here at Boss Plumbing when you have concerns about your pipes. By not ignoring a problem, you can have our plumbing experts on the job and save plenty of time and money along the way.
