(916) 470-3132 [email protected]

Warning: Here’s How Electrolysis Can Damage Your Home’s Plumbing System

by | Feb 14, 2023 | Plumbing

Warning: Here’s How Electrolysis Can Damage Your Home’s Plumbing System

Have you ever noticed tiny bubbles forming along the pipes in your home’s plumbing system? That could be a sign of electrolysis, a process that can cause extensive damage if left unchecked. Read ahead to find out more about the dangers of electrolysis and how to protect your home from its corrosive effects.

Introduction – What is Electrolysis?

If you are not familiar with the term, electrolysis is a process that uses electrical current to produce a chemical reaction. In the context of plumbing, electrolysis can occur when metal pipes are exposed to an electrical current. This can happen if there is a faulty wire or other electrical problem in the home. When electrolysis occurs, it can cause the metal pipes to corrode and eventually break. This can lead to serious water damage and even flooding. If you have any concerns about electrolysis in your home, it is important to contact a qualified plumber for an inspection.

Understanding the Potential Damage

If you’re considering having electrolysis done to your home’s plumbing system, it’s important to understand the potential damage that can be caused by the process. While electrolysis is an effective way to clean and repair pipes, it can also cause serious damage if not done correctly.

When done correctly, electrolysis removes rust and corrosion from pipes, leaving them looking like new. However, if the process is not done properly, it can cause severe damage to the pipe material, resulting in leaks and water damage. In some cases, electrolysis can even cause pipes to burst.

Therefore, it’s important to only have electrolysis done by a qualified professional who has experience with the process. If you’re not sure whether or not your plumber is qualified, ask for references or check online reviews before hiring them.

How to Avoid Electrolysis in Home Plumbing Systems

If you have a home plumbing system, it’s important to be aware of the dangers of electrolysis. Electrolysis is a process that can occur when two dissimilar metals are in contact with each other in an electrically conductive solution, such as water. This can cause one of the metals to dissolve into the solution, leaving behind a deposit of metal on the other metal. Over time, this deposit can build up and block the flow of water through the pipe, leading to problems with your plumbing system.

There are a few ways to avoid electrolysis in your home plumbing system:

  • Use only copper or plastic pipes: Copper is not susceptible to electrolysis and plastic pipes are not good conductors of electricity, so they are less likely to cause problems.
  • Avoid using dissimilar metals: If you must use two different types of metal pipes in your system, make sure they are well insulated from each other to reduce the risk of electrolysis.
  • Use anodes: Anodes are devices that release electrons into the surrounding solution, which prevents metal ions from being deposited on pipe walls.

Signs of Damage Caused by Electrolysis

If you have electrolysis in your home’s plumbing system, there are a few signs that can indicate damage. First, if you notice any corrosion on your pipes, this is a sign that electrolysis is present. Second, if your water pressure is reduced or uneven, this can also be a sign of damage from electrolysis. Finally, if you see bubbles in your water or hear a hissing sound coming from your faucets, this is a sure sign that electrolysis is damaging your plumbing. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to call a plumber to assess the situation and determine the best course of action.

Preventive Measures to Protect Your Home’s Plumbing System

It’s no secret that water and electricity don’t mix. But did you know that your home’s plumbing system is vulnerable to damage from electrolysis?

Electrolysis is a chemical reaction that occurs when an electrical current is passed through a conducting solution, such as water. This process can cause metal pipes to corrode, which can lead to leaks and other costly repairs.

There are several things you can do to protect your home’s plumbing system from damage caused by electrolysis:

Install a water softener: Water softeners help reduce the number of minerals in your water, which can help prevent electrolysis.

Use non-conductive materials: When making repairs or replacements to your plumbing system, be sure to use non-conductive materials, such as PVC pipe or fittings.

Avoid using metal pipes: If possible, avoid using metal pipes in your plumbing system altogether. Instead, opt for plastic or other non-conductive materials.

Install anode rods: Anode rods are made of sacrificial metals that are more easily corroded than the metals used in plumbing pipes. These rods are installed in water heaters and act as a “sacrificial lamb” by corroding instead of the more sensitive metals.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed the dangers of electrolysis in relation to your home’s plumbing system. We hope that it has made you aware of how this chemical process can damage pipes and cause deterioration, leaks, and blockages. If you’re considering using an electrolytic device, please familiarize yourself with the exact workings completely before doing so, as failing to do so may lead to costly repair bills or worse. It is also a good idea to check with a professional plumber if you are unsure about any aspect of the installation process — after all, prevention is better than cure!

Recent Comments

No comments to show.

Testimonial

Ramona Cota
I was surprised when I came on Google and saw bad reviews. But then usually people who are happy don't post, only the unhappy ones. ...
Read More
Ramona Cota
I was surprised when I came on Google and saw bad reviews. But then usually people who are happy don't post, only the unhappy ones. We first found this company through Angie's list and are so happy we called them. They have been to our house 3 times and every time the work has been excellent! Last Sunday night as we were going to bed we heard the water running. Looking around we discovered the valve that feeds the water into the house was spurting water and looked like a water fountain. My husband had to go out at midnight and shut the water off at the main. Monday morning we called 5th Generation and when he came by Monday afternoon to assess the problem Sid was able to fix it on the spot. Aah, running water again! They charge reasonable rates, even coming out on Saturdays. Sid and Jerry are both master plumbers and Christie in the office is great! I trust them and will not call anyone else.
Ramona Cota
Ramona Cota
Kim Turner
Our hot water heater failed at a really bad time. Sid showed up with the replacement water heater and had it installed in record time. ...
Read More
Kim Turner
Our hot water heater failed at a really bad time. Sid showed up with the replacement water heater and had it installed in record time. It was a pretty tight space to work in, so we were appreciative that the work was able to be done so quickly and effortlessly. The area was cleaned up and put back together so that we didn't have to do anything after it was done. Very professional and friendly. Will have them do our bathroom remodel when we're ready.
Kim Turner
Kim Turner
Kevin Slattery
We had an issue where the kitchen sink was backing up into our master bathroom tub even though they were far apart in the house. ...
Read More
Kevin Slattery
We had an issue where the kitchen sink was backing up into our master bathroom tub even though they were far apart in the house. Being a handy guy, I tried snaking the kitchen from under the sink with my 15' snake but wasn't expecting it to fix it since the clog was likely closer to the bathroom. I also tried snaking the line from the bathroom but couldn't get the snake to go down the correct pipe. Due to limited time, I threw in the towel and decided to call a pro who likely had a long snake and possibly a camera if needed. My first call was to Bonney. They had overall great reviews. The scheduling person couldn't tell me how much it would cost to do a simple snake operation but it would be $49 just to show up plus whatever work the tech performs. Many reviews said this is where the surprise charges start racking up, oftentimes into the hundreds. This is when I hit Craigslist to find a plumber who is likely just as skilled, if not more skilled than the Bonney tech would be but without all the big company overhead. Sid, the owner of 5th Generation Plumbing, was one of the guys I contacted. He called me back pretty quickly and said he could come the next day between 11-12 and gave me a quote for snaking. I checked his license on the CSLB site as well as read some reviews. This made me a bit nervous because there were quite a few negative ones. Most of the negative reviews were not related to the quality of work but were related to scheduling. This is quite common with tradespeople and is somewhat understandable as some jobs simply take much longer than estimated. I just wish they would communicate these situations with the next customers a bit better. The next day, Sid called at 11:45 and said they were running about 20-30 minutes late. +1 for good communication. He showed up and quickly cleared my drain and tested the two problem drains. His charge was exactly what he quoted on the phone. I will not hesitate to recommend him to anyone I know who needs a plumber.
Kevin Slattery
Kevin Slattery
S Le
Positive: Punctuality , Quality , Responsiveness
<span tabindex...
Read More
S Le
Positive: Punctuality, Quality, Responsiveness
I called on Christmas and he answered and was able to come out immediately the next day. The technicians were on time and worked quickly to solve my problem. They were professional and clean, I Highly recommend.
S Le
S Le
Angie Jimenez
When a lady needs her plumbing serviced I know who to call. Sid is a master plumber. Ladies for all of your plumbing needs call ...
Read More
Angie Jimenez
When a lady needs her plumbing serviced I know who to call. Sid is a master plumber. Ladies for all of your plumbing needs call Sid at 5G plumbing. He gets the job done when my husband is too busy.
Angie Jimenez
Angie Jimenez
Ron Ives
Great experience. He knows the job well. Fair cost.
Ron Ives
Great experience. He knows the job well. Fair cost.
Ron Ives
Ron Ives
smud logo

Sacramento County Areas

SACRAMENTO SMUD $2500 INSTANT REBATE AVAILABLE ONLY FOR A LIMITED TIME

When you convert from gas to an electric heat pump unit.

admin