Incidence and costs of home plumbing corrosion

Abstract

Factors influencing the occurrence and costs of pinhole leak corrosion in suburban Washington, D.C., were analyzed. A mail survey of households was used to elicit experiences and repair costs associated with pinhole leaks. Regression analyses, with correction for sample selection bias, were used to analyze survey responses regarding leak occurrences and costs. Pinhole leak occurrences were found to be associated with plumbing type, property age, pipe failure history, and dwelling distance from a water treatment plant. The number and location of pinhole leaks in the dwelling and the pipe type are associated with the financial costs of pinhole leaks. For example, repair costs of leaks occurring in the basement are much lower compared with repair costs on the second floor. Faster responses to pinhole leak outbreaks by utility managers and policymakers would reduce costs of pinhole leak repairs. Expanding state‐funded property insurance to cover damage from leaks when private insurance coverage is inadequate would also be beneficial.

Households’ Preferences for Plumbing Materials

“…Over 50% of surveyed respondents spent more than $100 on repairs with estimates as high as $12,000. In comparison, in their Maryland Pinhole Leak Survey, Kleczyk and Bosch (2008) found costs from the plumbing material failure repairs as high as $25,000. Unlike the present survey, however, the study by Kleczyk and Bosch (2008) did not separate the costs associated with pipe failure and property damage.…”

“…In comparison, in their Maryland Pinhole Leak Survey, Kleczyk and Bosch (2008) found costs from the plumbing material failure repairs as high as $25,000. Unlike the present survey, however, the study by Kleczyk and Bosch (2008) did not separate the costs associated with pipe failure and property damage. This Southeastern Community survey accounted for this factor, which might have resulted in the differences between the two studies.…”

“…For example, 33% of Southern Community respondents with pinhole leaks spent at least $500 repairing damaged plumbing material, while more than 75% of survey participants with pinhole leaks experienced at least moderate level of stress. In their Maryland study of pinhole leak corrosion, Kleczyk and Bosch (2008) estimated the total cost 11 of fixing damage related to pinhole leaks to range from roughly $1,300 to more than $18,000. As a result, when plumbing services are expensive, the service providers should concentrate on installing plumbing materials that are convenient to install, and present a low failure rate to minimize future financial outlays spent on plumbing material repairs.…”

“…Furthermore, fixing dry wall, floor tiles, or ceilings affected by plumbing material replacement is not part of the services provided by the plumber, and homeowners have to hire a general contractor to fix the water related damage. Kleczyk and Bosch (2008) have reported the additional costs associated with damage from pipe failures reaching as much as $25,000, and forcing household members to reside in temporary housing during the repair period.…”

Inhibition of Copper Pitting Corrosion in Aggressive Potable Waters

“…Under less extreme conditions known to reduce the rate of E corr rise (e.g., typical intermittent flow experienced in premise plumbing systems) (e.g., [18]), the relative importance of pit initiation is expected to become even more critical. This might explain why, in some real systems that have experienced outbreaks of pitting, much higher incidence of pinholes have been reported near the water treatment facility where levels of chlorine are much higher [33].…”