Just How Resistent Are Copper Pipes To Corrosion?
After 50 years of use, copper plumbing piping is showing signs of aging, as experience of rash of costly pin hole leaks. The leaks are due to corrosion, which takes place at a slow rate over many years. So while the pipes are relatively resistant to many types of salt solutions, over time, even a slow corrosion rate can be troublesome. For example, copper is relatively resistant against many salt solutions including sulfates and nitrates. Typically the rate of corrosion of copper to these salts is about .2mpy. For those who don’t known, mpy = thousandths of an inch penetration of the corrosion per year. That’s a slow rate. However, after 50 years, the pipes will have corroded about 25/1,000th of an inch = 1/40th of an inch. Copper plumbing pipes can range in thickness from 2-10 mm, which approximately equals .08 -.4 inches. So if you consider the effect of the rate of corrosion in the pipes with the smaller wall thckness, you wil find that the average pipe of this thickness will be penetrated in 150 years.
While this is a long lapse of time, many houses last much longer than 150 years.
Aside from the response of copper piping to many salts, the pipes are relatively weak against many oxidizing substances such as ferric and cupric salts, and to ammonium. Cyanides are also very corrosive to copper pipes.
Bearing in mind the long time spans we are concerned about, nevertheless, the recent rash in copper pipe leaks has caused more and more people to consider the use of PVC, (polyvinylchloride ), pipes in their home. PVC pipes are most resistant to corrosion, inexpensive, and easy to handle. They also are used when there is a need for ultra pure liquids in manufacturing applications.
PVC pipes are an improvement over copper pipes in many areas, and for this reason are being used more and more often in kitchens and bathrooms. However, it would be a mistake to consider them a panacea for our domestic plumbing needs. Some people have reported that chemicals in the pvc pipes tend to leach out over time. Sensitive people claim they can actually taste a plastic taste in water that flow through the pipes. One panel of water connoisseurs went so far as to describe the water that flows out of the pvc pipes as: “fruity plastic.”
While the jury is still out, one team of researchers, headed by Anderea Detrich of Virginia Tech is looking into the problem, and has already made one report to the American Chemical Society (ACS). Whatever the conclusion, it is clear that Americans are becoming more discriminating about the water that flows past their palates.
This report has been brought to you by A-1 Plumbing of Baltimore A-1 Plumbing is a Baltimore plumber company with expertise in repairing pipe leaks.
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