Due to a combination of factors such as oxygen, leaks, and what not, your pipes will begin to corrode over time. This corrosion takes on a number of forms such as leaks, increased pressure, and ultimately bursting pipes if the situation is not identified and corrected early enough. For that reason, getting to know what causes pipes to corrode and observing the warning signs early enough can ensure that you are protected as well as healthy since corroded pipes can usually infect water, thus leading to health complications. The following signs should be able to tell you where and when the pipes are getting corroded so as to take preventive measures and avoid a disaster in advance.
1. Discolored Water
If you start to notice brownish looking water flowing out of your pipes in a dense manner, then this is a sign that your water system has been compromised by the corrosion. The discoloration often happens as a result of the water crapping off the oxides that have been broken down from the water and thus causing the water to be colored in a strange way. However, a corroded pipe is not always the case as the water could turn brown after a routine maintenance where pipes have been replaced. The duration that this water stays brown should be able to indicate the severity of the situation and whether you need to do something about it or not.
2. Strange Taste
Oxidation, which is a leading cause of pipe corrosion in water supply systems, can often result in the water taking up too many minerals and as a result, taking on a strange taste which is sometimes too strong for the person tasting the water. This is a sure sign that there is something wrong with the water, which could prompt you into checking with the water supply to see whether the water is safe for your health and if it will get clean anytime soon. A health inspection at this point could prove to be life-saving as it will determine whether the water is safe for human consumption or not.
3. Leaks
As pipes begin to wear down due to corrosion, you will find that leaks start to pop out all over the place. By doing an inspection of your piping system, you should be able to determine whether the leaks are spread out all over the pipes or just concentrated around one place which then indicates the degree of damage. A leaking system is usually a warning sign that your corroded pipe is unable to support the water supply any longer, thus this should be a cause for alarm whenever you begin to notice it. Additionally, leaks can spread the damage to other areas of the building such as the roof and floors, which then causes mould and, ultimately, respiratory infections. Leaks are also quite tricky to identify as they happen in small stages and over time spread to a greater area, causing even greater damage to your infrastructure.
4. Clogged Pipes
Corrosion often leads to a buildup inside the pipes, which causes the pipes to narrow down. As this happens, they happen to be clogged which can cause a pressure build-up and ultimately an explosion or a burst of the pipe. This would be an even greater disaster than the leaks, which can be patched easily as compared to replacing a whole length of the piping system.
Whenever you suspect that you have pipe corrosion in your system, getting into contact with the professionals can often prove to be the best course of action. This will ensure that a thorough inspection and damage estimation of the piping system has been done as well as determine the manner in which these pipes should be replaced and the cost involved. Corroded pipes often pose a health risk to the people involved and can lead to an escalation of costs where you have to take someone to the hospital as a result of infection by the leaking water or its consumption.
At the end of the day, corroded pipes pose an obvious health risk and as such, you need to ensure that it is looked into to avert a disaster.
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