Has anyone out there experianced the detrimental effects of conventional water softeners, ie. sodium choride treatment, on copper piping. By detrimental effects I mean premature corrosion, pin holes, electrolysis. I’d like to hear about anyone’s experiance with this problem.
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Replies
Softners don't usualy cause this type of problem, you might need to get your water tested to see what causing the problem.
If these problems are on drain lines and not on your copper water supply piping its just the nature of copper.
I haven't had any trouble with softened water in copper pipes. Softening replaces calcium and magnesium with sodium, but doesn't increase the overall ionic charge in the water, nor does it change the pH.
About ion exchange in water softeners; there are several types of media used in softeners, one of which are Dowex (tm) beads. The resins from which these beads are made, are engineered to remove specific chemicals from certain liquids. This process sometimes produces a change in ionic charge, according to Dow's web site.
http://www.dow.com/liquidseps/prod/sp_feaben.htm
PS: I'm only vaguely familiar with this topic, from a short stint as a water softener salesman, many years ago.