What Is Cathodic Protection and Why Should You Learn More about It?

You might have heard the term “cathodic protection” tossed around from time to time. But do you know what it is and why it’s important? You may not realize it, but plenty of the commodities you enjoy are an indirect result of cathodic protection. If it weren’t for this technique, transportation ships wouldn’t be able to bring you the imported foods and goods you like so much. So let's see what is cathodic protection and how you can implement it in your home.

What is cathodic protection?

To put it simply, cathodic protection is a method that relies on physics principles to protect metal against corrosion. It’s essential for metal pipes, ships, and boats that have to stay a long time in the water. It also offers corrosion protection to steel structures buried in the soil. While this may all sound like industrial nonsense, it’s actually easy to understand why it is crucial.

The fundamental principle behind cathodic protection is to connect an external anode to the metal for its protection. Then, a current passes between them, so that the metal becomes cathodic and does not corrode.

For example, oil companies regularly coat their steel jacket structures with aluminum. The sacrificial metal acts as an anode. As a result, the aluminum corrodes while the steel remains protected. And this is just one basic example. Cathodic protection works for a variety of metal structures in various environments.

So, to sum it all up without getting too technical: you need two different metals and a current to pass through them.

How cathodic protection can extend the life of pipes inside your home

Now you know the basics of what cathodic protection is. So, another question. Can you use cathodic protection principles to protect your water pipes? Yes, you can. Why is this important? Because if you live in the USA, you have an 8 out of 10 chance of encountering hard water.

Hard water has excessive minerals such as calcium, magnesium, chalk, and lime. While safe to drink, these have a massive impact on your appliances and even on your skin. As hard water passes through your pipes, limescale builds up and destroys them. It can result in blockages or, just as bad, leaks. The limescale and rust are hard to remove. And having a leaky pipe can lead to flooding or, best case scenario, an inflated water bill.

To protect your pipes from limescale and rust, a water descaler functions on the same principle as cathodic protection. The water descaler features two active impulse coils that you need to wrap along your pipe. The coils are 51 inches long and pass 24V 1A current throughout your pipes. They can successfully cover any tube with a maximum diameter of 1,2 or up to 4 inches depending on the model.

As the water passes through the treated area underneath the two impulse coils, the powerful electric waves break the crystals and transform the minerals into ions. This process results in a significant reduction of limescale deposits. And even if limescale eventually builds up, it will be easier to clean.

Why not just coat your pipes with another metal?

Unlike oil rigs and other steel structures, your pipes don’t sit in water or the ground. Instead, water flows through them. So protecting the outside of the pipe without flowing any current is useless. Not to mention that it’s very dangerous to try doing such “hacks” on your own. You could kill yourself. Literally.

By using a water descaler, you will successfully protect your pipes from rust without having to handle dangerous currents. The microchip inside the descaler regulates how current flows through the two active coils. It only sends small currents inside your pipes, not on the outside. That’s what makes it 100% safe to operate. If you would try to direct electric current through improvised wires, you’d get electrocuted.

What other benefits do you get by using a water descaler?

• It extends the life of your washing machine, coffee maker, and other water-based appliances.
• You will get rid of soap scum more easily.
• You can save up to $1000 per year on heating, cleaning, plumbing repairs, and others.
• With lower limescale come higher water flow rates.
• You will no longer get limescale or mineral deposits on your showerhead, faucet, or toilet bowl.
• Your risk of having a dermatological reaction gets reduced.
• You save water, thus helping the environment.

Frequently asked questions

• What if I don’t have hard water?

Hard water is classified depending on the number of minerals in it. When the minerals exceed a certain degree, the water is classified as hard. Even though the water in your area doesn’t show high levels of hardness, it still likely it has a fair amount of calcium and limescale. Your pipes won’t get rusty as fast, but it will happen eventually. It’s better to prevent it while you can.

• Is descaled water safe to drink?

Yes, descaled water can be drunk by anyone. Unlike traditional salt-based water softeners, a water descaler doesn’t add sodium or other chemicals to your water. You can give it to kids, nursing women, plants, and pets without any worries.

• How does descaled water taste?

It tastes exactly as water should. Unlike water softeners, descalers don’t take out the nutritious minerals that give water its “flavor.” You’ll still get the refreshing and hydrating feeling that you get from drinking regular or bottled water.

The bottom line

Cathodic protection is probably the best method to avoid corrosion. Heavy industries have been using this type of protection for almost a century. And now you can do the same to your plumbing with our water descaler. And you don’t even need a plumber. You’ll be ready to protect your pipes from corrosion and de-harden your water in just 10 minutes.

If you’re not 100% happy with our product, you can send it back within 100 days, and we’ll refund every penny. Our one-year warranty has you covered in case the descaler malfunctions despite correct use. And to top it all off, if you register your descaler on our website, you can get an extended 10-year warranty. That’s an entire decade of quality water.