Did you know that the plumbing industry made an astonishing $107 billion in revenue in 2018? Maybe that’s because of the high number of plumbing accidents that plague people’s homes! Plumbing accidents are serious issues that can lead to thousands of dollars in damage, lost time, and costly repairs. However, there are several things you can do to ensure that your home does not suffer from a plumbing accident! Below are several tips and tricks you can use to save the piping in your home, ensure there are no sewage leaks and backups, and help prevent costly plumbing repairs.

1. Winterize your Pipes

If you live in a colder environment with harsh winters, chances are you’ve heard of the term “winterizing” your pipes. But what exactly does this mean? When you winterize your pipes, such as placing pipe pads on your pipes to insulate them from the cold, this helps prevent them from becoming frozen during the winter.

If there is excess water in your pipes, this can lead to the water forming into ice, expanding in the pipe, and then causing your pipe to burst. Therefore, you need to get rid of any excess water in your pipes and systems, such as in your sprinkler system. Winterizing your pipes, insulating them with pipe pads, and checking for leaks is one of the best ways to prevent plumbing accidents.

2. Conduct Proper Maintenance

It’s important to conduct proper maintenance on your pipes throughout the year. To do so, simple things such as making sure your drains aren’t clogged, cleaning out your garbage disposal, and calling a plumber for help can prevent plumbing accidents. A plumbing company will check your pipes for any signs of damage. They can then recommend repairs before they turn costly, or they can give you a clean bill of health so you can put your mind at ease!

3. Call a Plumber Immediately for Help

If you notice any issues in your pipes, such as a leak coming from your pipe pads, sewage backup, or a sulfur-like smell, these are all signs of a serious problem that requires the help of a plumber. The longer you wait to call a professional, the high the chances of a costly plumbing accident occurring.

Don’t wait until your pipes burst to get help! Call a plumber as soon as possible so they can repair your plumbing system and save you thousands on costs.

According to the Environment Protection Agency, heat and moisture are the two most common problems engineers face when designing a network of pipes. Fortunately, there are some ways to protect pipes from these threats. Here are some tips that you may want to consider to prevent pipe erosion.

Heat Insulation

As mentioned before, heat is one of the forces that threaten pipes. If you want your pipes to function normally, you have to invest in some heat insulation. There are several types of materials used to insulate pipes. The material you choose depends on what is transported by your pipes. The most common material that you can use for thermal insulation is mineral (basalt) wool. This material is not only good, but it’s quite affordable as well. You can also insulate using foam shells. Each type of material you use for insulation has its disadvantages. This means you need to consider the environment your pipes are in when choosing the insulation material. For instance, mineral wool should never come into contact with moisture, or else it loses its insulation properties.

Stable Structures

If your pipes are made of metal, you will want to ensure there is no friction, bouncing, and jiggling. This can increase the rate of wear on your pipes. Bouncing and jiggling can also cause crevices where corrosive materials will start setting in. This causes what is known as crevice corrosion. One of the best ways to prevent this is to use restraints. You can use things like clamps, straps, and U-bolts.

Metal Insulation

One of the things you will want to do to protect your pipes is to prevent metal-to-metal contact. Not all metals get along. If it so happens that your pipes get into contact with each other, one will pull electrons from the other. The result is that a section of the pipes where electrons have been pulled will become weaker, which compromises the pipe’s structure and causes pipe erosion. The most effective way to protect your pipes from this is to insulate them. You can use pipe shoes or wear pads for this. These items work as buffers between metals, enabling them to stay durable for longer.

These are some methods you can use to protect your pipes from pipe erosion. Get in touch with our team if you need help protecting your pipes from any of the threats above.

When temperatures fall, one of the tasks that you will be faced with is that of protecting your pipes. Burst pipes are costly to replace, and they also cause some serious water damage. Here are some tips to help you protect your pipes.

Keep the Heat On

Even if you are leaving your home for a while, it may be a good idea to ensure that the heat is kept on your property. This might not make a lot of sense, especially because of how much energy can end up being consumed. However, this will help prevent your pipes from freezing. If your pipes freeze because of the low winter temperature, they can end up bursting. If this happens, you will not only part with a lot of money to replace the piping, but you will also be left with some substantial water damage to deal with. However, when you do this, the heat doesn’t need to be too high. You can just keep it around 50 F.

Allow the Faucet to Drip

Are you afraid that the water in your pipes can freeze? Well, there is more than one way to prevent this from happening. Apart from keeping the heat on, you can also open the faucet at the end of that pipe a little bit so that it drips slightly. Allowing this to happen will relieve pressure on the system. What causes your pipes to freeze and burst is the pressure that is created between the blockage and the faucet. Allowing your faucet to remain open will therefore prevent pressure from building up and thus reduce the risk of ending up with burst pipes.

Seal Up Cracks and Holes

Sealing up cracks and holes goes a long way in ensuring that your pipes are safe. Cold air usually gets in through the gaps around holes where the pipes in your home run through walls or floors. To prevent this from happening, you should use caulk to fill these gaps. You can also get some spray foam. If possible, you must also seal cracks, gaps, and holes on both the interior and exterior sides of the walls and add some pipe pads. Cold air can strain your pipes and cause water to freeze. Sealing up holes and installing pipe pads will therefore lengthen the lifespan of your pipes.

These are some of the ways to protect your pipes. Don’t forget to also add some pipe pads to your pipes. They will also contribute to keeping your pipes safe. If you are looking for pipe pads in your area, get in touch with us today.

Metal corrosion can be a killer for piping systems, no matter how advanced they might be. In fact, metal corrosion costs the U.S. economy nearly $300 billion every year. While pipe pads won’t help from corrosion on the inside of pipes, they can do something about corrosion and damage from the outside. But first thing’s first, what are pipe pads, and how can they help?

What Are Pipe Pads?

Wear pads, also known as pipe pads, are pipe support pieces that help hold pipes apart, reducing metal-on-metal damage and potential corrosion. Pipe pads are made of a composite material that fits over the outside of a pipe. The pad then acts as the main contact point that the pipe rests on.

Why Do I Need Pipe Pads?

Unchecked corrosion can cause serious damage to even the best piping system. As corrosion weakens the pipes, they can begin to break down. Even beyond the immediate financial costs of repairs, severe corrosion can lead to shutdowns, damage to equipment, and even on-site injuries. Wear pads are one easy solution to help stop exterior pipe corrosion and boost the longevity of your piping system.

How Do They Work?

Pipe pads are designed to move with pipes, protecting them from dust and grit that may become trapped between other barriers and the pipes themselves. They also account for thermal movement. This allows pipes to move naturally, expanding and contracting as the temperatures change. Because pipes aren’t restricted, there’s no risk of point loading and damage from restriction.

As pipes move and shift over each other, the motion can wear on and even scrape off the pipe’s protective outer coating, allowing microbes a way in. Wear pads will absorb the surface impact caused when pipes rub against each other at crevices, putting a stop to crevice corrosion. They’re also easy to install — no welding required!

Wear pads are designed to help stop exterior pipe corrosion, extend the life of piping systems, and drive overall long-term performance. They’re simple to install and protect against a range of potentially damaging factors threatening your system’s functionality. While they won’t stop corrosion from the inside of pipes, they can be a great asset when it comes to corrosion from the outside, and other kinds of metal-on-metal damage.

The oil and gas industry heavily relies on thousands of miles of running pipelines to transport products that run the US economy. According to data from the US Department of Energy, the US maintains approximately 2.6 million miles of natural gas and oil pipelines across the nation. This infrastructure serves as a vital artery for the energy sector. It may necessitate constant maintenance to prevent any structural defects that can affect functionality.

Economic Impacts Surrounding Pipe Wear

Corrosion is the bane of most industrial complexes, including the oil and gas industry. The natural process leads to pipe erosion and deterioration, resulting in significant property damage, injury, or death. A study by NACE International showed that corrosion cost the US oil and gas exploration and production an estimated $1.4 billion in losses annually. Early detections and mitigation measures such as pipe wear pads are key to mitigate its impact.

Here are the impacts of corrosion that pipe wear pads can help you avoid.

1. Expensive Product Replacement

The economic losses attached to corrosion can be extensive. The continuously eroding pipe and joints may require replacement in an expensive repair process. Using corrosion protection methods such as a pipe wear pad can prevent vibrations and rust formation, common causes of pipe erosion. These measures can save your plant the massive costs attached to replacing pipeline components destroyed through corrosion.

2. Structural Breakdown Leading to Shutdowns

The gradual wear down of your straight pipes, flanges, gaskets, and other components can weaken your pipeline infrastructure. The structural breakdown may necessitate a pipeline shutdown to carry out the necessary repairs. Utilizing pipe protection measures can help extend the useful lives of your pipeline components and components while decreasing your expenditure on repairs and maintenance.

3. Loss of Valuable Product

Gradual pipe erosions, especially on your joints, can result in cracks in the pipeline. The crevices may result in oil or gas leaks that can result in the loss of valuable products. A pipe wear pad can reduce the mechanical wear on your joints, reducing your product loss from corrosion damage. Contamination of the product through the cracks formed due to corrosion may also decrease the value of the fluids transported.

4. Safety

According to the US Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, corrosion is responsible for 18% of pipeline accidents in the United States. Loss of pipe strength at the corroded location can result in splits that can result in workplace accidents. Stress corrosion cracks can result in the release of flammable products onto the environment, increasing the risk of catastrophic accidents in your oil and gas plant. A corrosion protection system can help prevent pipe wear that can result in accidents that destroy your assets.

5. Compliance Issues

Corrosion can also mean safety issues from non-compliance with federal regulations. These include pipeline inspections, reporting corrosion-related incidents, and filing accident reports. Failure to follow these instructions may result in hefty fines that can impact the profitability of your plant. A pipe wear protection system can help you meet compliance requirements without compromising on quality or production output. It ensures a smooth operation that preserves your assets and decreases the chances of accidents resulting from faulty corroded pipelines.

6. Environmental Issues

Oils spills resulting from damaged pipelines can contaminate the local flora and fauna. This can lead to several fines and penalties that may impact your assets and reputation as an environmentally responsible company. Environmental damage costs are also likely to increase insurance premiums, which affect your business’s bottom line. A pipe wear pad system can help reduce the loss or contamination of your valuable products through corrosion while protecting your plant from costly lawsuits related to spills and accidents caused by corroded pipes.

Looking at the economic impacts that arise from pipe wear indicates the importance of a corrosion protection system for your pipeline. A pipe wire pad in a critical section of your piping with joints can help you make cost savings for your oil and gas plant. To learn more about pipeline corrosion prevention tips, reach out to DynaGard.

One of the best ways to limit the occurrence of moisture in piping is to insulate the pipes. For this, professionals often use non-absorbent, fiber-free materials, which can help to avoid mold and its far-reaching consequences. Read on to find out other ways of preventing moisture in piping.

Identify the Sweating Water Pipes

If you keep having a moisture problem in your piping, chances are it’s not all the pipes that are causing the problems. Therefore, one solution can be to identify the sweating pipes. Unfortunately, it might not be easy to access these pipes directly, and without direct access, fixing this problem can be impossible. The first step should be to figure out a way to expose the pipes. Please note that you may need to cut into drywall or other finished coverings for this. Once you expose the pipes, you then find ways of preventing moisture penetration.

Eliminate Additional Moisture

After exposing the pipes, you will need to repair any issues that are causing moisture. You can even find that there are some leaky or dripping pipes. Depending on what’s causing the pipes to leak, you can correct the problem with simple measures like tightening a faucet.

Insulation

Insulating water pipes, ducts, and fitting is a great method of preventing moisture penetration. Without insulation, there will be a lot of condensation, which can lead to many problems. A great material to use for this is a closed-cell elastomeric foam material. Apart from preventing the occurrence of moisture, this material is also a great way to limit the growth of mold in the insulation.

Avoid gaps in Piping Systems.

You can use ArmaFlex 520 to seal all your seams and avoid gaps which will help in preventing moisture penetration. There are other materials you can use as well but ensure they are non-moisture-absorbing. You should watch out for this, especially if you are dealing with chilled water and refrigeration piping. With these kinds of pipes, condensation can easily become a problem.

Apart from dealing with the moisture problem, you might also want to take measures to ensure that your pipes are not attacked by corrosion. For this, you can use pipe saddles as a barrier from their supports.

These will eliminate the risk of pipe corrosion by ensuring that no moisture penetrates and that metals do not come into contact with each other. This can all be achieved without mixing chemicals, straps, or hot work.

There are a lot of forces that threaten the integrity of pipe systems. Some of the forces that present as issues to engineers when designing pipe systems are heat and moisture. To prevent corrosion and wear from destroying your pipe system, you can use pipe wear pads. Wear pads can minimize the rate of corrosion and prevent unnecessary downtimes that come with pipe repairs.

What Is a Wear Pad?

A pipe wear pad is a support that is used to isolate pipes and to minimize metal-on-metal damage. This piece of equipment is made using a composite material that matches the diameter of the external pipe circumference. The pipe wear pad serves as the main contact between the pipe and its support system.

How do Pipe Wear Pads Work?

Even if you cannot see it, your pipes are constantly exposed to a lot of wear, tear, and corrosion. Apart from the financial loss, erosion can weaken pipes which might result in shutdowns and damaged equipment.

Wear Pads Reduce Metal-on-Metal Contact

Any time the metal in the pipes scraps the surrounding systems, there can be damage to either of the pipes in contact with each other. Pipe wear pads prevent this contact from occurring and therefore prevent the following problems:

Galvanic Corrosion

When metals of different compositions come into contact with each other, it can cause an electrochemical reaction known as galvanic corrosion. This reaction can damage metals and lead to ruptured pipes. Wear pads prevent this by acting as a physical barrier that prevents metal-to-metal contact.

Metal-to-metal wear

Even in cases where there are no chemical reactions, each time metals rub together; there will be significant wear that occurs. This is also true for pipes that rest on support beams. With changes in temperature, these pipes will expand and contract, and their outer coating will wear as a result of friction with the surface of the beams. Wear pads prevent this friction, thereby preserving the outer coating of the metal pipes.

They Stop Crevice Corrosion

When pipes move on support beams, the friction can create crevices that will let microbes in. Part of the microbe population includes corrosive bacteria, which can spread to other pipes and weaken them. Wear pads prevent the formation of these crevices by absorbing impact and preventing damage to the underlying pipe’s metal.

Pipes are constantly moving. While you might not notice this movement, it is significant enough to stop damage. Wear pads act as buffers that prevent damage from occurring due to the movement of pipes.

Corrosion control remains a key pillar in supporting human scientific endeavors in technology, engineering, and material science. According to recent studies by the Battelle Institute, metal corrosion costs the U.S. approximately $300 billion annually. Oil, gas, and water companies spend over 6% of their total revenue combating corrosion.

Critical to the efforts laid towards corrosion control is preventative maintenance. Products such as pipe pads provide excellent solutions to external pipe wear, allowing companies to save thousands of dollars. Pipe erosion can quickly get out of hand. Here are reasons why you may need to protect your industrial piping system with DynaGard pipe pads.

1. Reduce Metal-to-Metal Pipe wear

Naked pipes are a huge problem for most industrial plumbing, especially on joints and supports. The bare metallic pipes grind against each other, wearing down the protective outer layer. This creates an opportunity for rust to set in. Worse, dissimilar metals may end up in contact, causing galvanic corrosion. Pipe pads have a rigid, composite shell that creates a barrier between the two pipes and support. Preventing the metal contact halts the disruptive process at the start.

2. Protect Your Pipes from the Elements

Industrial piping passes under a variety of harsh environmental conditions, which may accelerate the rate of depreciation. From salty sea air in marine environments to ice formation in cold lands, external elements can significantly damage your plumbing parts. Pipe pads act as a barrier between the harsh elements and your metal pipes, actively protecting them from corrosion.

3. Insulate Pipes

Heat and moisture are arguably the most notorious causes of corrosion in industrial piping systems. High heat or ice formation on the outer surface may cause the layers to chip away. Additionally, the frequent thermal expansion and cooling result in moisture accumulation on the surface, supporting rust formation. DynaGard wear pads cover your pipes underside, covering up the condensation cavities. The composite padding inhibits the formation of water droplets at your pipe joints and prevents moisture penetration to your metal piping.

4. Easy Installation

Traditional protective products require specific installation conditions, including surface preparation, set-up time, or heat for welding or glue sticking. Pipe pads are easy to fix, unlike other systems. You do not require any special skills. You only need to raise your pipe of the support, clean the underside, remove the adhesive liner, stick the pipe wear pad and lower your pipe to the support. The simple installation process makes it easy for any technician in your plant to manage corrosion.

5. Cost-Effective Investment

The goal of every business is to maximize its revenues while reducing its expenses. Corrosion protection systems such as pipe pads can increase your profit margins by significantly reducing corrosion impacts on your industrial plumbing. Experts estimate that using the available corrosion control practices; industries can save between 15% and 35% of the cost of corrosion. This is approximately $375 to $875 billion annually on a global scale. Pipe wear support is affordable and can help keep your pipe wear expenses low.

Corrosion is a huge menace for any industrial plant. Pipe pads can help you prevent corrosion while increasing the life of your metal piping. For more information on pipe corrosion prevention tips, reach out to DynaGard.

At some point in time, every material starts to wear and tear. That is also true for pipes. The laws of thermodynamics state that once work is put into making a pipe, its highly organized structure will only start to deteriorate. There are many forms of deterioration when it comes to pipes. For instance, the structure of pipes can be weakened by corrosion, fatigue, or even thermal stress.

Regardless of what is causing the wear and tear, the pipe structure will eventually fail. Let’s look at some of the factors that influence external pipe corrosion. External pipe erosion happens when the material that creates pipe walls thins out and weakens over a period of time. Here are some factors that influence external pipe corrosion:

Thermal Stress

Most materials expand and contract when they are heated and cooled simultaneously. Sometimes this stress might not be enough to destroy the structural integrity of a pipe, but when these forces are combined with others, they can have a significant impact on the structure of the pipe. This causes what we know as creep. Creep causes cracks which can then lead to corrosion of the exterior of the pipe. It is important to understand this concept in order to prevent pipe corrosion.

Contact with Other Materials

Another common cause of erosion in pipes is contact with different materials. For instance, a pipe can be placed on top of saddles that are designed to support its weight. While this is useful for support, constant contact with the saddles can result in wear and abrasion, which eventually leads to corrosion. The material on the outside of the pipe starts to get removed, which creates good enough conditions for rust to occur. This is probably the most common cause of exterior corrosion in pipes. To prevent pipe corrosion, you have to minimize metal to metal contact by using proper pipe saddles.

Moisture

Galvanic corrosion happens when a cathode and an anode are spaced out by an electrolyte. This happens when a pipe and its saddle are separated by drops of water. This is the corrosion that everyone else knows and is familiar with. If, however, pipes are padded and the saddles are designed properly and insulated, moisture will not get into the space between the pipe and the saddle, which will prevent galvanic erosion. Properly designed saddles and pipe wear pads will also prevent metal-to-metal contact. This is all achieved without chemicals, hot work, or straps.

There are several factors that can lead to external pipe corrosion. It’s important to ensure that pipes fitted with wear pads are properly saddled and insulated to prevent exterior pipe corrosion. It is also important to note that you can significantly prevent pipe corrosion with pipe pads.

Pipeline corrosion is a potential hazard for the oil and gas industry because it can affect the production and transportation processes. When pipelines are weakened over time, they can break easily and cause explosions and other equivalent dangers related to health problems for those nearby. This is why pipeline corrosion protection is an essential measure to curtail the effects thereof. This article will briefly highlight the causes of pipeline corrosion, signs to look out for, and effective measures to provide you with sufficient pipeline corrosion protection.

Common Causes

Pipeline corrosion can be categorized into internal and external corrosion. In internal corrosion, the contaminants are usually the materials that are transported within the pipeline such as chemicals and water. Whereas, external corrosion is mainly caused by the surrounding environmental conditions that can affect the coatings and cause them to disband. Other factors include poor workmanship during the pipeline installation process.

Detecting Corrosion

If you do not conduct regular maintenance on your pipeline system, then it will give you problems. If you are having trouble figuring out if your pipes are disintegrating or if the brown appearance is just soil, consider the following ways to detect corrosion.

• Conduct a visual inspection to look for obvious signs of damage, including cracks or pitting.
• Perform ultrasonic testing to identify thinning inside the pipeline walls.

Install high-tech equipment into the pipeline; as it moves through the line with the product (oil or gas, for instance), the equipment will detect potential problems.

Prevention

Pipe saddles are designed to insulate pipes and eliminate the risk of corrosion by preventing moisture penetration and metal-to-metal contact. They don’t require chemical mixing, straps, or hot work. The adequate protective coating is as essential as regular maintenance. Other preventative measures include using corrosive-resistant materials and cathodic protection.

The Bottom Line

Pipeline corrosion is a natural occurrence that you cannot fully prevent from happening. However, knowing what the causes are, being able to identify early signs, and utilizing measures to ensure pipeline corrosion protection as part of a regular maintenance process can benefit your business. If you suspect that your pipeline system may be in danger of corrosive damage, you should contact a professional who can determine the extent of the pipeline damage.

The plumbing industry is a multi-billion dollar industry, and it is dependent upon metal pipes. Metal pipes are used beyond plumbing, however. Natural gas, oil, and water are all transported through underground metal pipes. These pipes are built to last for years, as it’s obviously extremely expensive and time-consuming to replace them. However, they are not immune to damage. Perhaps one of the main types of damage that these metal pipes can undergo is corrosion. Corrosion can occur when metal pipes are exposed to chemicals and water over time, and pipe erosion can get out of hand quite quickly. In fact, metal corrosion can cost the U.S. economy almost $300 billion each year.

It’s incredibly important for those in charge of pipe systems to invest in corrosion prevention methods. Perhaps one of the most significant types of corrosion prevention is the pipe wear pad. Pipe wear pads can make a significant difference for pipelines. But there is a lot of misinformation existing about this corrosion prevention tool. With that being said, let’s explore some of the advantages of using pipe wear pads.

1. They Prevent Friction

Perhaps one of the most significant benefits of using pipe wear pads is that they provide friction prevention. Friction occurs in pipelines due to vibration, especially at the connection points of the piping system. As this vibration shakes the pipes, the protective coating that prevents corrosion will gradually wear away. Metal on metal friction is created in the process. This results in long term damage, which potentially calls for repairs or even replacements.

The reason why this damage occurs in the first place is that condensation can collect on these metal on metal areas. This is where corrosion comes into play, and it can spread throughout piping systems fairly quickly. Pipe wear pads are some of the only types of prevention that are effective against this particular issue.

2. They Isolate the Pipe From Support

One of the main reasons why corrosion and wear occur within piping systems is that pipelines allow for too close a connection. Therefore, it’s all too easy for pipes to rub against each other and cause damage.

Pipe wear pads essentially separate the pipes from the support systems and isolate the pipes. This reduces the risk of friction, while also preserving the pipes for the long term. Additionally, these pads also can make it easier for repairs to do be done on individual sections of pipelines due to the isolation that it creates.

3. They Save Money

While it may initially be somewhat costly to add pipe wear pads if they were not already existing within pipelines, in the long term they save money. Corrosion and damage make it necessary for pipes to be repaired, often prematurely. These types of repairs can be prevented through the use of pipe wear pads.

Pipeline repairs are incredibly important, but they’re also quite expensive. They require unearthing pipelines and sending employees down to work on them, often for days at a time. The materials themselves are expensive, and the labor adds to that expense. Any way of preventing this issue is very much worth the cost.

4. They’re More Effective Than Alternatives

One of the main alternatives to pipe wear pads in terms of attempting to prevent pipe corrosion is the classic pipe half-saddle. However, this method often isn’t as long term as pipe wear pads.

Pipe half-saddles actually require changing out every support structure in a system. This is quite expensive, and they don’t always last as long as pipe wear pads. Therefore, it makes much more sense to invest in pipe wear pads outright.

There are lots of benefits to using pipe wear pads. What’s most important is that these pads can be relied upon for the long term, reducing friction and creating a more safe and stable environment for pipelines and those that rely on them.

There are so many reasons why pipeline corrosion is a problem. On a practical level, pipeline corrosion can cause pipes to break or leak, potentially causing massive environmental damage over time. But on a financial level, the damage is severe as well. In fact, pipeline corrosion alone costs the American economy over $9 billion every year. But despite the fact that pipeline corrosion may seem to be inevitable to some, it can in fact be prevented through careful strategies and applications.

Perhaps one of the most important factors to consider when exploring pipeline corrosion prevention tips is understanding why pipelines corrode in the first place. There are actually different types of pipeline corrosion, and they can be dependent on what the pipes in question are made of, where they are located, and the materials the pipes are transporting.

What Types of Materials Are Used for Pipes?

As previously mentioned, the type of materials used to construct a pipeline can determine why the pipeline is corroding in the first place. Some of the most popular types of materials used include galvanized steel, copper, PVC, polybutene, CPVC, and polyethylene. Usually, the type of material chosen is selected based on the type of material being transported. Galvanized steel, for example, is usually selected to transport oil, petrol, and gas.

This should be considered heavily when preventing moisture penetration, for example. There must be a balance between ensuring that liquids are being transported efficiently and preventing corrosion.

What Are the Different Types of Pipeline Corrosion?

Different types of corrosion can occur depending on the conditions the pipeline is subjected to. One common type of corrosion is pitting corrosion, which occurs when a small hole or pit forms in a part of the pipe, slowly deepening over time. Microbiologically influenced corrosion can also occur, which is often dependent on the types of microorganisms the pipeline is exposed to. Though these organisms, which include fungi and algae, do not cause corrosion, they can speed up the corrosion process. Galvanic corrosion, in comparison, occurs when metal interacts through electrical contact with another type of metal.

The wide variety of different types of corrosion that can occur is why different types of pipeline corrosion protection strategies need to be considered. Preventing moisture penetration, however, should always be a priority for those responsible for pipelines. As moisture affects the pipelines themselves, it can cause oxidization and therefore rusting, which will gradually break down the pipes over time. It’s incredibly important that this type of corrosion, in particular, is prevented.

How Can Pipeline Corrosion Be Prevented?

There are several different strategies that can be taken to prevent pipeline corrosion. Perhaps one of the most common methods of preventing moisture penetration is the application of pipe wear pads. Pipe wear pads actually serve multiple purposes and are perhaps some of the best means through which contractors can protect pipelines.

One of the reasons why pipelines become corroded is that they vibrate and often rub against each other. This wears down protective coatings on the metal and eventually thins out the metal itself. Additionally, the metal is more susceptible to the effects of moisture when it is thinner, further emphasizing the need for pipe wear pads. Essentially, pipe wear pads are liners that are filament-wound and fiber-reinforced. They are fitted onto pipes themselves and act as cushions that isolate the pipes and keep them from rubbing against each other.

There are different types of pipe wear pads available. Some require epoxy in order for them to be attached to the pipes, while others are naturally easier to mold onto the pipes through stick and peel methods. Pipe wear pads should be resistant to condensation, chemicals and acids, and ultraviolet light.

Due to the fact that they can both safeguard the pipes against the effects of vibration and aid in preventing moisture penetration, pipe wear pads are among the best methods for preventing corrosion in general. They are cost-effective, fairly simple to apply, and generally long-lasting and effective. It’s crucial that pipelines are outfitted with this type of material in order to avoid the long term effects of corrosion.

Pipe wear and corrosion are dreadful enemies that every industry has to deal with. Over the past half-century, different approaches to studying corrosion’s national costs show the equivalence of 3-4% of each nation’s GDP. Metal corrosion costs the U.S economy nearly $300 billion annually. Globally, the figure stands at a staggering $2.2 trillion.

Beyond the astronomical figures, pipe wear can also lead to catastrophic destruction, workplace injuries, and halted production processes. Even worse, the enemy is sneaky and slowly-creeping, hard to detect with the naked eye.

Corrosion Prevention Methods

However, pipe wear and corrosion don’t have to be scary. There are effective pipe protection systems that you can use to keep your pipeline safe and extend its life. Pipe pads are among the most popular solution for piping projects.

Pipe wear pads are composite liner membranes that provide a light coat of protective material for your pipes. The pads are placed under joints and metal to metal surfaces, acting like a protective layer. The composites prevent metal abrasion that results from pipes grinding against each other.

Still not convinced how pipe wear pads can extend the life of your metal piping systems? We’ve identified three ways you can use DynaGard pad systems for long-term pipe integrity.

1. Insulate Pipes

Heat and moisture are the two most common issues for engineers designing a piping network. Alternating cycles of rapid heating and cooling of the pipes cause pipe wear. The temperature changes cause metal pipes to expand, contract, and move. External cracks start to appear, which leads to leaks within the pipes. The moisture lining the outer surfaces leads to a build-up of rust, eroding pipes. Wear pads work in both extreme heat and cold conditions. The non-conductive composite reduces thermal movement, which contributes to longer-lasting pipe systems.

2. Reduce Friction Loss

Pipe wear pads provide a protective coating that prevents metal pipes from vibrating against each other. As the slurry flows within the lines, vibrations are inevitable. The slight movement of the piping system and its supports could lead to structural damage. The frictional forces may also cause pressure loss that results in operational constraints. The pipe protection pads reduce vibrational friction, thus assisting in extending the plumbing system.

3. Prevent Corrosion

Your industrial piping system is exposed to harsh corrosive forces. Pipe wear via corrosion occurs gradually over long spells, which eventually leads to erosion. As a plant manager, there are two common corrosion culprits you should be mindful of.

• Galvanizing corrosion: Occurs where two dissimilar metals are in close contact. It kick-starts an electrochemical reaction that sees one metal pull electrons from the other less reactive one. A pipe wear pad insulates the pipes, forming a physical barrier that separates the metal surfaces.
• Surface Pipe Wear: The constant movement and rubbing of metal pipes peel the protective paint layer present. Condensation on the surface leads to moisture build-up that results in rust. A pipe wear pad creates a buffer zone, preventing moisture penetration. Your piping system remains safe, having extended life.

Protect Your Plumbing

Pipe wear and corrosion can lead to substantial financial losses, on top of other risks. The DynaGard Pipe wear pad seeks to prevent the unseen enemy from creeping into your pipes. In the end, your plumbing systems remain strong, resilient, and can last longer.