Blog

Learn the Impact and Effect that Chlorine Has on Your Plumbing 

Clients ask us all the time? Does chlorine effect my plumbing? Chlorine is a necessary part of our water system, but does it effect your plumbing?  Chlorine is something we try to avoid drinking. We wash it off after we’re in the pool. It dries out our skin and our hair but what does it do to your plumbing system?  Fun fact, while you’re washing that pool water off, you’re still bathing in chlorinated water.   

 Chlorine in our Water

Chlorine is one of the principal ingredients in our domestic water and it serves a purpose. Believe it or not chlorine plays a vital role in public safety. Chlorine is added to our potable water system to eliminate harmful microorganisms that can be found in our city water system. I can’t speak to how healthy chlorinated water is for your health, I’m not a nutritionist or doctor. I can say that chlorinated water, while it is something almost all of us deals with unless we’re on well water isn’t always healthy for our plumbing. The reason for this is because science is science.   

 Chlorine and our Plumbing  

Chlorine in our water can have a long-term costly impact on our plumbing. I’ve been in plumbing long enough to see the harmful and costly effects of chlorine in our water as well as our plumbing. I’ve seen so many floods that were caused when chlorinated water destroyed polybutylene piping.  The late 90’s and early 2000’s had a devastating impact on homes as chlorine ate through polybutylene piping. This caused massive home floods all over the country.  Polybutylene has been removed from the American market because of the chlorine in our water but what does chlorine do to our plumbing if it isn’t polybutylene? 

Chlorine and your plumbing pipes 

Chlorine can also accelerate the deterioration of metal pipes such as copper and galvanized steel. When you combine chlorine with water it becomes corrosive. Chlorinated water can quickly accelerate the aging of your metal water lines by breaking down the metal and causing pitting and holes leading to leaks and potential flooding.  If you have galvanized lines you’ve likely already felt the pain of leaks, low water pressure and pipe failures.  Copper tends to hold out longer, but it is still susceptible to poor water quality.    

Chlorine and our plumbing fixtures 

Chlorine is a chemical, it doesn’t just whiten our whites, and sanitize, it can also pose challenges to our plumbing systems.  It can, over time, affect the rubber components in our plumbing system. Chlorine can cause rubber components like the ones in your toilet to harden. The components also lose their elasticity creating the need for toilet repairs. This is also true for other rubber components and seals in your plumbing system. When rubber gaskets and seals become brittle on your plumbing system, the necessity for repair becomes urgent and can lead to costly flooding if not caught immediately.  

 How to stop the damage from chlorinated water 

If you’re not on well water it stands to good reason that you have chlorinated water, but now what?  Water softeners?  Nope. A water softener softens hard water due to minerals. Chlorine is not a mineral, it’s an additive.  There are solutions out there that can help to drastically reduce the chlorine in your water by as much as 99%.  Whole home filters are a great way to reduce the chlorine in your water. They also come in packages that condition your water or soften it.  These systems should be installed on the whole home so the benefits can effectively protect your entire plumbing system from chlorine.  AI will tell you that you can get a whole-home reverse osmosis system, that simply doesn’t exist.  Typically, chlorine is addressed with a carbon filter.  There is another huge bonus! By removing the chlorine from your water you’re not just protecting your plumbing! but your water will smell better, taste better and help with your skin and hair being softer.  

> 

Can chlorine damage be reversed? 

Unfortunately, once your plumbing is damaged by the effects of chlorine in your water there isn’t anything you can do to reverse the effects.  If you’re experiencing leaks or repairs in your home related to water quality like chlorine it’s likely time to rebuild or replace the item that’s been damaged.  Many components can be replaced or rebuilt but your water lines may require replacement to avoid any further leaks or flooding.  Often an option to replace plumbing water lines is pex rather than copper in situations where chlorine and water quality are a concern.  

Services in Phoenix & Beyond

If you’re looking for a solution to the chlorine problem in your water and to resolve any plumbing issues caused by the chlorine in your water don’t hesitate to call a Robin!  When it comes to water quality options we have well versed team. We will help you find the perfect solution for your home. We want to encourage you not to wait for a plumbing emergency before addressing the plumbing issue at hand.  If you’ve found yourself in need of an emergency plumber in the Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, or Chandler area, you can trust Robins Plumbing. We will provide you with prompt and expert care!  Contact our team today! In addition to our slab leak repairs, we also offer a variety of residential and commercial plumbing services, including: drain cleaning, water heater repair and replacement, sewer camera inspection and locating, backflow prevention, commercial and residential jetting, water treatments, and more. Visit our reviews online to see what others have to say about our local plumbing company!