4.7 Google Rating
Some plumbing damage starts at one connection and spreads much farther than expected. In this Spokane home, the water lines were extensively damaged by electrolysis after a water heater had been installed incorrectly by another company.
What may have looked like a small installation detail at the time eventually caused serious damage throughout the home’s plumbing system.
How electrolysis damages water lines
Electrolysis can occur when dissimilar metals are connected without the proper separation. In plumbing systems, this often happens when the wrong fittings or materials are used near a water heater, especially where copper, galvanized steel, brass, or other metals are joined incorrectly.
Over time, that reaction can eat away at the metal. The damage may begin at one connection, but once corrosion starts affecting the system, it can weaken surrounding piping and create multiple failure points.
Why this became a larger repair
In this case, the damage was not limited to one fitting or one short section of pipe. The home’s water lines had been affected extensively, making a complete repipe the proper long term solution.
Trying to patch one area would not have addressed the larger problem. When corrosion is widespread, replacing the damaged water lines is often the only reliable way to restore the system.
Installation details matter
A water heater installation is more than setting the tank in place and connecting the lines. The materials used, the order of fittings, and the way the system is tied into the existing plumbing all matter.
Correct installation helps prevent pressure issues, leaks, corrosion, and premature failure. This is one reason proper water heater installation should always include attention to the surrounding plumbing, not just the appliance itself.
When repiping becomes the better option
If corrosion has spread through multiple water lines, repeated small repairs can become expensive and unreliable. A full pipe repair or repipe may be the better choice when the system has been compromised in several areas.
For homeowners in Spokane, catching these issues early can help reduce damage and prevent additional failures.
If you are planning a water heater replacement or suspect corrosion in your plumbing system, call (208) 999-7788 or use our contact form to schedule service.
