Corrosion

Corrosion affects the material due to the reactions with the surrounding. Corrosion is the destruction of a material because of chemical and/or electrochemical reactions. Commonly, the loss of electron of the metals when they are reacting with water is known as Corrosion. The oxidation of iron atoms from the iron metals leads to the electrochemistry corrosion.

Rust is the most common corrosion. As the metals come in contact with air and water, rust occurs. Rust prevention is an essential one, because it may cause extensive damage to metals. Rust damages the metals completely. We should avoid the moisture to prevent the rust in the metal.

Corrosion processes return the materials back to a more thermodynamically stable state by their combination with substances in the environment, particularly with oxygen.

For example: Metals like gold or platinum hardly oxidize because of their low affinity with oxygen. They are known as noble metals. Other metals as iron oxidize easily due to their high affinity with oxygen.

The electrochemical nature of corrosion leads to various forms of assault. These are determined by the series of environmental, mechanical, geometrical and various other factors. The corrosion form identification is more important for the diagnosis of the cause that determines the corrosive process, as well as the prevention, control, and protection of the element.

A corrosion inhibitor is a chemical compound which is added in small concentration to the metals and alloys which should be avoided from corrosion. A corrosion inhibitor is a chemical compound which is added in small concentration to the metals and alloys which should be avoided from corrosion.

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Use Plastic-Lined Nipples To Keep Your Water Heater Corrosion And Rust Free

A water heater's tank is made of steel and plumbing lines are often made out of brass or copper. This poses a problem. Brass or copper may not touch steel without causing the steel to rust and corrode. The brass or copper will remain unharmed when touching steel. This can cause a weakened water heater lining. Plastic-lined nipples were created to deal with this problem. If you have a brand new water heater and it is attached to copper lines, check to see if any corrosion has occurred. If it has, you should have plastic-lined nipples installed immediately to prevent corrosive damage to the water heater which could cause a leak.

If you are handy with plumbing, you can install gate valves on your hot and cold lines on top of your water heater. Install brass valves into plastic-lined nipples. This is better than installing directly into steel. Don't attach copper or brass directly to steel or the steel will corrode and rust. Now you have the ability to turn the water on and off at the water heater.

Heat traps can be used where the plastic-lined nipples are installed. Hire a plumber to do this to increase the water heater's efficiency. Make sure adapters are attached to the copper plumbing. If the water heater has a combination anode rod inside, the plastic-lined nipple will still be important. Now you can attach a plastic-lined nipple. If you have a curved dip tube installed inside your water heater, you will need a three inch long plastic-lined nipple as well.

The easiest method of adding plastic-lined nipples if you have steel plumbing is as follows: Attach to both the hot and cold lines a plastic-lined nipple where the lines protrude from the wall. Attach to both of the hot and cold lines another set of plastic-lined nipples where the lines connect to the water heater. Use copper flex-connectors to connect the hot line from the wall to the water heater and do the same for the cold line. Heat traps should be installed to your plumbing lines for increased heating efficiency and to keep the water in the lines warmer.

Plastic-lined nipples may also be installed on the T&P valve. A lack of corrosion or rusting will keep the T&P working properly without getting any trapped water inside. This can assist, but it isn't absolutely necessary.

Go to http://www.waterheater-info.com or contact johnnyhayneser@gmail.com for information on solar water heaters, tankless water heater, traditional tank-type water heaters, and water heater repair. I can set you up with the most qualified plumbing contractor in your area.

 

Corrosion Can Occur In Multiple Places In Water Heaters - Here's The Problem Spots

Electric Elements

Galvanic corrosion is most common in electrical water heaters and appear on the electrical elements. The elements are the component that heats the water. Elements have a copper sheath and a steel base and if those specific parts become wet, electrolysis and corrosion may occur. An electrical element may be corroded enough to fail to heat the water. If you replace it and then in less than a year, the element may corrode again, then it is due to a faulty anode. Replacing the anode will prevent further element destruction. One way to prevent corrosion is to install galvanized unions with the plastic nipples on the top of the tank. Now you can thread galvanized pipe to the steel plumbing into the wall. Like galvanized plumbing, plastic plumbing will never have to deal with galvanic corrosion. PB and CPVC can adapt to most metal pipes.

Corrosion Caused By Softened Water

Softening water is the act of exchanging salt for hard minerals in water. Often the salt becomes more corrosive than the hard minerals. Softened water therefore consumes anode rods with greater ease. Anode rods inside softened tanks should be checked every two years, no more.

Anodes

Anode rods are very important to the heater's long-term health. Sometimes an anode rod develop a very hard covering of calcium carbonate on 100% of its surface. This layer prevents the anode from from stopping corrosion. The rod will look the same to the naked eye though. An anode that is covered in calcium carbonate will bend easily and that is the only way to tell.

Combustion Chambers

Combustion chambers in gas heaters have the potential to rust and corrode. To check the combustion chamber, first set the gas control to PILOT. Next remove the hatch cover. Now remove the draft diverter on top of the water heater along with the baffle. Using a flashlight, look inside the flue to make sure there is no water damage. If corrosion or rust appear, call a plumber for maintenance. Rust and corrosion can occur inside a commercial heater as well. If you have the tank drained, check the inside for rusting. If there is rusting, call the manufacturer.

Solar Systems

Touching briefly on solar systems, it should be known that solar water heating has come a long way since its inception in the 1800's. Almost all corrosion problems have been eliminated. Solar systems sometimes use a heat exchanger. These machines have a special oily heat exchange fluid inside. The fluid does not drain in cold weather because it does not freeze either. Corrosion however may occur in this situation and may need to be monitored in the colder seasons.

Vent Pipes

If you have a gas water heater, your vent pipes could be subject to corrosion. Your vent pipes are the piping system above the water heater that helps the combustible gases coming from the water heater to escape to the outside of your house. Do not operate on the venting system yourself since plumbing codes are extremely specific and abundant when it comes to your venting system. Just make sure you can't see any rusted holes anywhere on your vent pipes or a unburned natural gas may escape through the holes. Call a plumber if you find this problem.

Corrosion Resistant Materials To The Rescue

If you're concerned with corrosion problems in the tank lining itself, many tank linings are created out of metals besides steel (which corrodes) and instead are made out of copper, stainless steel plastic, or cement. These materials are better than the usual steel and glass lining found on most water heaters manufactured still today. Ask manufacturers for tanks lined with materials other than glass and steel if at all possible.

Copyright 2006 John Haynes

Want to KNOW more than the water heater salesman? Check out http://www.waterheater-info.com/solar-water-heaters for free information on the efficiency of a solar system.