Common Pipe Failures
– In the mid-1980s it became apparent that the acidic water supply in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia was causing serious water pipe corrosion.
– Some of the pipe failures were due to unnecessary exposure to UV rays and poor installation practices. In other instances, sediments collected inside the lining of the pipes which could eventually lead to restricted pressure in the water system.
– In materials such as CPVC and Polybutylene, the material used in the manufacturing process can become brittle after just a few years of usage which can lead to cracks and leaks.
– Cast iron or copper drainage piping can experience failures due to chemical contamination within the pipes and the use of inferior product.
– Hot water pipes made of thin copper (‘L’ or ‘M’ types) can fail due to chemical reactions, exceedingly high temperatures, or due to the age of the copper itself.
Some of the more common causes of pipe failure include:
- Generalized surface corrosion
- Copper corrosion
- Acidity galvanic response
- High levels of oxygen or salt
- Poor installation protocols
- CPVC becoming brittle
- Polybutylene becoming brittle
- Degradation due to UV ray exposure
- Sediments/contaminants in the water supply
- Water pressure imbalances
- Chemical contamination
- Inferior, inappropriate, or outdated piping product
- Thin copper (‘L’ or ‘M’ type)
- High water temperature and temperature fluctuations
- Scale buildup inside pipes
- Glacial water corrosion
- Non-conforming plumbing systems
- Electrolysis
- High-velocity water flow
- Undersized piping