13 Jul CHLORINATION COULD BE AFFECTING YOUR HOME’S PLUMBING
The chlorination of Christchurch’s water supply has resulted in an influx of enquiries from homeowners interested in in-home water filtration systems – but undesirable tastes, smells and skin irritations may not be all local residents should be worried about in the wake of the city’s water treatment.
Regular testing and maintenance of your hot water cylinder and pipework is recommended to ensure the efficiency of your plumbing and the health and safety of your family. This testing and maintenance may be even more important now that the city’s water is being chlorinated, as chlorinated water may contribute to corrosion and leaks.
Case Study: Hastings
Last year New Zealand Herald reported that a Hastings plumbing company had experienced a 30% increase in callouts to leaking hot water cylinders following the chlorination of the local water supply.
The article reported that the introduction of chlorine into the Hastings water supply had highlighted corrosion issues with a number of copper services – with copper from the late 1960s and early 1970s noted as being particularly problematic.
Chlorination and Corrosion
Pipe and hot water cylinder corrosion and resulting leaks can be caused by a combination of number of factors, including PH levels, temperature, chemicals, naturally occurring minerals and oxygen.
The chemical compounds in chlorine can react with copper, steel and plastic pipes to varying degrees – and potentially result in premature corrosion, leaks and deterioration. This can be problematic for hot water cylinders and plumbing fixtures and fittings – but particularly copper piping or fittings, and pipes, plumbing and hot water cylinders over 10 years old,
The Impact on Your Home
Corrosion can decrease the efficiency of your hot water cylinder, cause premature wear, tear, leaks and damage to household plumbing, and even result in contamination of your household water supply due to corrosion causing metals to leach into your water.
Leaks that go unnoticed can end up costing far more if the water damage impacts your flooring, cabinetry, or building structure, so it’s more important than ever to ensure you stay aware of leaks, have your hot water cylinder and pipework checked every few years, and regular maintenance carried out as needed.
Want to learn more? Contact our team today on 0508 AQUA PRO.
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