What causes slab leaks?
When new copper comes in contact with water does not stay shiny very long. The copper begins with an eternal coating designed to protect the copper against water damage. One common misconception is that you should turn your water off when you go on vacation. However, when water becomes stagnant. Some particles can heat through your copper.
One common type of particle that causes corrosion in the copper piping system is iron. If any sources are causing iron to flow through your copper piping, It will eat through the walls of your copper pipe.
If the water heater anode rod is bad, it will cause iron particles to flow through your piping system.
Water with the presence of oxygen will always try to eat any metal.
Every water heater has an anode. An anode rod is typically made of magnesium. The anode rod is intended to attract particles that eat metals keeping your water heater from rusting.
Typically most slab leaks occur in the cold water system because there is no anode system in place.
Standard household unfiltered water is not pure. It can contain oxygen, magnesium, fluoride, chlorine, and suspended particles.
Copper piping systems should be grounded to the external surface of the copper piping. When copper piping is improperly grounded, the phenomenon is known technically as "stray current corrosion" or electrolytic pitting. If you have recently had a water filtration system installed, plastic in between the copper has interrupted the water pipe's electrical continuity to the ground.
Slab leaks and pinhole leaks could become prevalent within only a matter of six months after the interruption. Microscopic pits eventually grow and consolidate to form pinholes. When one is discovered, there are almost certainly more that have not yet leaked. Properly installed appliances should have a jumper. If you have recently had a water filtration system or some modification in the piping system and you would like to get it checked out to make sure that it is properly grounded. These give us a call Repipe OC South Orange county plumbers. We have professionals that can take a look at your system to make sure that your system is properly grounded.
Some of the telltale signs that you have a slab leak are as follows.
1.If you notice your floors are warm.
2. If you see that your water bill is higher than usual.
3. sounds of running water, but no fixtures are running.
4. You notice your baseboards and lower walls are corroded and warped.
5. The smell mildew and mold.
6. Check your water meter. If the small red dial is spinning and you're not using any water throughout the home.
7. Pools of water on the perimeter of your home.
8. Your water pressure throughout the home is lower than usual.
9. Floors are damp, various remanence of white mineral deposit buildup around the edges of tiles.
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What should I use instead of copper piping in my home?
The number one choice for today's homeowners should be PEX. Approved for use in the U.S. in 1980 and has several advantages over metal pipe (including copper) or rigid plastic pipe.
Cross-linked polyethylene, commonly abbreviated PEX. PEX contains cross-linked bonds in the polymer structure, changing the thermoplastic to a thermoset. One estimate was that residential use of PEX for delivering drinking water to home faucets was increasing by 40% annually.
How is PEX better than copper?
Flexibility. PEX is popular because of its versatility. It has wide radius flexibility minimizing joints. It can also handle short radius bends. PEX also has a large number of fittings for the use of the easy installation.
Higher water pressure. Since PEX pipes have less bends, there is higher water pressure at the fixtures.
Lower cost. Materials are approximately 25% less than other alternatives. One study suggested that the price of copper had quadrupled in the past four years.
Easier installation. There is no use of torches and glues. It is commonly stated that once you use PEX, you won't go back.
Non-corrodible. PEX, unlike copper, is not subject to corrosion from minerals or moisture.
No use of fire. One of the most common ways to connect pipes is by using solder for copper joints. With an open flame, there is always the risk of causing a fire in the surrounding structure. PEX installation does not require a flame.
Lifespan. The expected longevity of PEX is 50 years, compared to 25 with other conventional methods
Hot and Cold. PEX comes in blue, red, and clear. Red is used for hot, blue for cold and clear for various unrelated lines such as drains.