How to Treat Copper Pipe CorrosionBrought to you by Clean Water Systems

What Is Corrosion?

Corrosion is when metal (commonly copper) from piping dissolves into water, potentially causing pipe failure and damaging water heaters, appliances and fixtures.

Corrosion in plumbing systems is due to physical andchemical reactions between the pipe material andwater.

Primary Causes of Corrosion:• Low (< 7.0) pH, otherwise called acid

water

• High levels of dissolved oxygen, salts, or iron/sulfate bacteria

• Sand, sediment, or other grit

• Improper grounding of electrical appliances

• High water velocity causing hydraulic wear on piping

Testing for Corrosion

We carry both corrosion test kits and pH tests on our website:

Corrosion tests:http://www.cleanwaterstore.com/test-kit-corrosion.html

pH tests:http://www.cleanwaterstore.com/test-kit-ph.html

Corrosion Treatment Methods

1. Identify source and severity of problem by inspecting pipe and performing water analysis:

• Check water’s pH level

• Check for unnecessary electrical appliances or wiring connected to piping

• Make sure piping system is properly grounded

Corrosion Treatment Methods

2.Correct low pH with calcite neutralizer tank (pictured right) or soda ash feeder

Corrosion Treatment Methods

3. Install a phosphate feeder before the copper piping to coat pipes and reduce or prevent corrosion effects

Corrosion Treatment Methods

4.Remove unnecessary electrical appliances or wiring and properly ground piping system

Recommended Systems:Calcite Neutralizer

• Filled with a blend of calcium and magnesium carbonates which dissolve into water and raise its alkalinity

• Can also act as sediment/rust filter

• Most common and convenient method of raising acid water’s pH

• Size of system directly proportional to flow rate of water – higher flow rates require larger systems

Recommended Systems:Soda Ash Feeder

• Injected with small metering pump, usually in combination with contact tank

• For best results, allow a few minutes of contact between soda ash and water

• Soda ash bought dry in 25 or 50 lbs bags and mixed with water in solution tank until desired ratio of about 3 lbs soda ash per 5 gallons of water is reached

Soda ash feeder pictured left

Selecting a System

• Use our online system selector form for help selecting the right system for your application - we’ll get back to you within 24 hours with a customized recommendation based on the details you provide

http://

www.cleanwaterstore.com/help/customdesigner1.p

hp

Thanks for watching!You can learn more about corrosion prevention and treatment on our website at

http://www.cleanwaterstore.com. There you will also find a large selection of water treatment and filtration systems, and a bevy of information about

various water problems and treatment methods.