Copper Pipe Electrolysis - A Water Main Killer!

[@majorhealey3194]

I heard the term Electrolysis Erosion for the first time this week. My home has a slab-leak and the cause of the copper pipe damage was suggested as electrolysis. I wanted to educate myself to the terminology and your video helped. Thanks for taking the time.

[@bigjulie3714]

could wiring a block of zinc to the pipe help to reduce the corrosion? Similar to the anode used to protect a marine motor?

[@balkanplumbing]

I do know anodes are used to protect underground utilities from electrolysis, however I am not personally famliar with anodes. Very good point. Anodes are run alongside the line being protected, so the stray current attacks the anode, not the line. Again very nice point, thanks!

[@neilkonitshek2906]

Ran into this problem today. Burst my hot water pipe in my crawl space 😢. Plumber said the exact dame thing.

[@balkanplumbing]

Try installing dielectric fittings. They stop the flow of electricity.

[@neilkonitshek2906]

@@balkanplumbing until I do so, someone recommended wrapping electrical tape around the pipe to act as insulation between the pipe and metal hanger. Would that work until I did something more permanent?

[@balkanplumbing]

If the leak was caused by a dissimilar metal pipe hanger yes. Or change to a brass pipe hanger (similar metal).

[@balkanplumbing]

Not to get overly technical, but what you have might be galvanic corrosion. Different than electrolysis. Just a fun fact!

[@neilkonitshek2906]

@@balkanplumbing thank you!

[@johnwagons4707]

Thanks for for that, will the plastic sleeve do the job?

[@balkanplumbing]

We use PVC at least 2 sizes larger than the size of the copper line. Example: 2" PVC around 1" or 1 1/4" K copper. 4" PVC around 1 1/2" or 2" copper. At the point of the connection to the tap (the swing) , we approved wrapping. That seems to work 100% . Any comments/questions, just reach out! BTW: Thanks for subscribing, it's appreciated.

[@deequi77]

Hi, will copper pipes great to be as water pipe? Will it rust or corrode?

[@balkanplumbing]

Copper will not rust or corrode. Unless exposed to ash, electrolysis, or other detrimental condition. Copper can last for many decades and is perfectly safe as a conduit for drinking water.

[@deequi77]

@@balkanplumbing thank you for the info. I was trying to order a copper pipe but hesistant

[@balkanplumbing]

Thanks for sharing.

[@lesliekendall2206]

I just looked it up. Water is an electrolyte and the electrolysis corrosion comes into play when the copper pipe is in contact with another type of metal.

[@balkanplumbing]

That is only one small instance causing underground copper pipe electrolysis, and is not the primary cause. What you refer to similar to galvanic corrosion; when copper or brass are connected to or touching galvanized pipe.

[@lesliekendall2206]

@@balkanplumbing So what is the cause?

[@balkanplumbing]

@@lesliekendall2206 In the video description and the posts. From the video description "Copper pipe electrolysis often happens when stray direct current (DC) electricity causes the pipe to decompose. However, copper pipe electrolysis, also referred to as water line electrolysis, can also potentially be caused by many modern appliances. Appliances such as hairdryers , and other conditions as well, can cause water line leaks and pipe failure. Because copper is an excellent conductor of electricity..."

[@lesliekendall2206]

@@balkanplumbing DC current in a house? No electrical is DC. ???

[@balkanplumbing]

@@lesliekendall2206 Public trains are DC. Hence why that is why they are the typical source. Modern solid state appliances are also being brought into the conversation lately.

[@yoheff988]

Will vaseline protect copper pipes from the outside?

[@balkanplumbing]

From electrolysis? Absolutely not.

[@tomagig2568]

I have a question. My house is electrically grounded to my copper pipes. Is this a bad idea🥺

[@balkanplumbing]

Not at all. That’s the typically accepted way to have a safe and secure secondary ground for a house. No Electricity goes through that ground unless there is an overload or malfunction on your primary ground.

[@tomagig2568]

@@balkanplumbing Thank you.😊

[@Eagle7834]

Why not just attach an anode to it.

[@grasshopper3085]

Does this happen only when the copper is in direct contact with the ground soil or could it happen also inside concrete/brick walls and floors?

[@balkanplumbing]

Whenever there is stray electrical current attacking bare copper. So yes indeed, copper inside walls, concrete, etc., can be destroyed as well unless it is protected by some sort of insulation.

[@scottwebber652]

Glad I don’t have to deal with this problem. Sounds like ittl get someone sometime no matter what. Who ever keeps feeding this game is sol !!

[@575drv]

I’m going to let you in on a little secret Dave. This Electrical charge your speaking of isn’t the issue, it’s actually the result. Copper, Gold, Aluminum, Bismuth are metals of low magnetic permeability. If water or a similar material flows through a cylindrical length of such a metal it creates a Dielectric field. When a Dielectric field is combined with our Earths natural Magnet field it creates Electricity. (Electricity equals Magnetism+Dielectricity.)(Magnetism+Dielectricity equals Electricity.) “One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite insane.”

[@balkanplumbing]

While you speak on a level above my understanding, and I appreciate the comment, what you describe does not result in the complete destruction of copper water lines in 2 to 6 months. That is what many property owners in NYC are experiencing right now. The complete destruction of an underground water line in such a short period of time is not usual, or the result of a natural occurrence. With that said, I found yogurt respire interesting and enlightening.

[@lesliekendall2206]

@@balkanplumbing So did you ever explain what IS causing the problem? I heard the word electrolysis but what's causing it?

[@balkanplumbing]

@@lesliekendall2206 I explain it to a degree in the description underneath the video. And here are two links to a more detailed explanation: www.balkanplumbing.com/copper-pipe-electrolysis-copper-water-main-killer/ and www.balkanplumbing.com/copper-pipe-electrolysis-corrosion/. More and more copper pipe electrolysis is occurring in areas where it was never before occurring. In those instances it is still being investigated. In the past electrolysis would almost exclusively happen in the vicinity of elevated train tracks.

[@lesliekendall2206]

@@balkanplumbing And insulating the copper pipe always stops the electrolysis?

[@balkanplumbing]

@@lesliekendall2206 If the source of the stray electrical current is underground, then yes. If it internal (from the house) then no. In almost all cases the causes of electrolysis is external (from stray underground electricity). To eliminate any chance it is from an internal issue, your plumbing can be tested to see if it carrying current. This can happen (very infrequent) if your primary electrical ground is defective, and the secondary ground on your water line is being used. It is only supposed to be a back-up, never the primary ground.