An Analysis of What's Causing the Increase in Plumbing-Related Claims and Possible Solutions
Growing problems of corroded, leaking metallic pipes documented; additional fire risk results from installations using a torch
Copper corrosion and plumbing system failures are nothing new to homeowners nor to the insurance agents who handle their property damage claims. Investigations into the causes of leaking metallic pipes often disclose the presence of corrosion and pitting which can be accelerated by corrosive water or soil conditions.
Unfortunately for homeowners and the insurance industry in general, premature system failures are becoming more common as water utilities are receiving an unprecedented number of reports of problems with corrosion and leaks. Media headlines document that some areas of the country are being hit harder than others by this escalating problem, including Washington, D.C., Tennessee, Florida and Ohio. Some of these areas, including various counties in Florida, have responded by banning copper altogether for plumbing applications.
Theories as to what is causing the increased incidence of pinhole leaks vary greatly. But an ongoing investigation by the main water utility in Laurel, Maryland, in conjunction with Virginia Tech, is pointing to tighter EPA drinking water standards as a likely cause. Leading corrosion experts at Virginia Tech point out that today’s water quality standards require utilities to remove more natural organic materials (NOMs) that come from sources such as leaves from water supplies. Removing them is likely to be a problem since natural organic materials can help form a natural protective layer in metallic pipe.
As water utilities across the country work to adapt to tighter legislation, the problems with pinhole leaks that started off as mainly region-specific problems are becoming more widespread. In fact, the AWWA (American Water Works Association) estimates that it will cost U.S. water utilities $325 billion during the next two decades to replace losses from corrosion and upgrade water distribution systems. In an article that appeared in Materials Performance in December 2002, it was reported that the overall cost of home plumbing corrosion problems alone may soon cost about $16 billion per year.
Homeowners can take a more proactive role in minimizing leaks and claims by continually monitoring plumbing pipes for leaks or signs of weakness. In the absence of obvious moisture, other indications include corrosion, greenish deposits or mineral deposits around fittings, valves, household fixtures and along the length of the pipe. Most problems start off as pinhole leaks. Water from small holes can evaporate before a drip forms, leaving only a telltale whitish or colored deposit.
Even without signs of corrosion or pinhole leaks, plumbing may show other signs that replacement is necessary. Decreased water flow or pressure indicates that scale has built up inside the metal pipe, significantly decreasing its inner diameter. Scaling occurs naturally with all metal pipes and can sometimes cause as much expense to repair as leaking pipes.
Plumbers generally recommend repiping after three or four leaks at a cost that can run in excess of $6,000. But as corrosion experts point out, if the same highly treated water is still running through the pipes, repiping with metal is only a temporary solution until pinhole leaks resurface.
Instead of continually replacing pipe with the same material that has already failed to withstand the existing water and soil conditions, it’s important to realize that there are now alternative, higher performing materials on the market that may some day make copper and other metals obsolete for plumbing applications.
Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), which is used in the manufacture of FlowGuard Gold® CPVC pipe and fittings, for example, has a 50+-year track record of reliability in a wide variety of water conditions. Unlike metal, FlowGuard Gold pipe and fittings will never corrode, pit or scale. As a result, water quality remains intact, pipes retain full water-carrying capacity throughout their service life, and the problems of pinhole leaks resulting from corrosion are things of the past.
As testament of the reliability of the FlowGuard Gold CPVC product and its ability to perform long term even in the harshest water conditions, the company’s manufacturer, Lubrizol, became the first and (to date) only manufacturer to provide a Statement of Compliance to the State of Florida in response to the state’s new plumbing code. A provision in Chapter 6 of the code requires that any pipe installed must be compatible with the water quality of the region. Unlike the Copper Development Association (CDA), which expressly voids its copper product warranty in applications where there is aggressive soil or water, Noveon provided a written statement indicating that even the most aggressive drinking water or elevated levels of chlorine in the water will not detract from its product’s performance or service life.
FlowGuard Gold piping systems offer the additional benefit of quieter operation. In fact, laboratory tests show they are four times quieter than copper, which reduces the need for and cost of water hammer arrestors that are commonly required with metallic systems. Even more important from a potential water damage standpoint, CPVC plumbing systems virtually eliminate condensation and “sweaty pipes” which can cause costly drip damage to walls, structure and contents over time.
FlowGuard Gold plumbing systems help reduce the risk of damage and claims in yet another way. Since they are installed using a one-step solvent cement bonding system, no soldering is required. This completely eliminates the risk of fire damage during installation. According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), torches, which are required to solder metallic plumbing systems, such as copper, rank among the top-ten leading causes of house fires each year.
Summary
Even though it is not the responsibility of the insurance industry to specify the materials or products to be installed in a home, there is value in knowing what alternatives and solutions exist on the market to help reduce claims and to be able to discuss these options with policy holders who may be experiencing ongoing problems. FlowGuard Gold CPVC systems should be considered a solution to pinhole leaks and corrosion in situations where the entire home needs to be replumbed. Or, in cases, where only parts of the existing metal plumbing system need to be replaced, CPVC transition fittings are available.