I have read lately about a cancer causing chemical called BPA in baby bottles and water bottles. These articles say that epoxy also includes this chemical. Is putting an epoxy lining in my pipes safe for me and my children?

-Jordan

Jordan, bisphenol-A (BPA) is the chemical you’re referring to. Testing has suggested that BPA in polycarbonate plastic bottles can leach into liquids held in them, posing a health risk. Recently Canadian authorities have taken steps to ban the sale of baby bottles made with polycarbonate and some retail outlets in the US and Canada have removed or plan to remove polycarbonate baby bottles and sports water bottles from their shelves.

Unlike polycarbonate bottles, epoxies like CuraFlo’s CuraPoxy^® which is used as a barrier coating in potable (drinking) water pipes, are certified to ANSI/NSF Standard 61 (the established governmental safety standard for drinking water system components), which ensures the product is free of unsafe levels of contaminants such as BPA.

While epoxy products are based on BPA, epoxy and polycarbonate products have vastly different chemical compositions. Unlike polycarbonate bottles, epoxies such as CuraFlo’s CuraPoxy can’t degrade to produce BPA contamination. The chemical bonds in polycarbonates are very different from those in epoxy resins. While bisphenol-A is a ‘base’ chemical used to manufacture both polycarbonates and epoxies, a polycarbonate plastic, under the right conditions, can degrade to produce BPA that can end up in liquids contained in polycarbonate bottles. In contrast, CuraPoxy (and other epoxies) will not revert back to BPA.

–Dr. Dave

I live in a house built in 1917. I don’t have any leaks, my water flow seems good, and I haven’t noticed any red or brown water. But: recently, I read an article in the New York Times saying I should not drink hot water from my tap because of the possibility of lead poisoning. Would an epoxy lining process allow me to use hot tap water without fear of lead poisoning? Are there any other water quality advantages from epoxy lining my pipes?

-Jim

Jim, you’re right to be concerned - one of the most serious (if not frequent) problems caused by pipe corrosion is lead contamination. And what makes it even worse is that you can’t see that there is a problem, as you often do with other plumbing problems. Your first step should be to get your water tested. You can find general information about lead contamination and how to test for it on the EPA’s website.

Epoxy lining does protect against lead leaching into drinking water. Because the epoxy lining creates a barrier between the metal pipe and the water coming in contact with it, it stops the chemical reaction that causes corrosion. It eliminates and prevents from reoccurring a host of poor water quality issues such as:
• discolored water (red, brown, blue or yellow)
• leaching of lead and other metals into the water
• metallic taste (caused by zinc or iron leeching in galvanized pipes)
• water odor or bad taste (caused by bacteria)

Both the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Navy have documented their use of epoxy pipe lining to prevent lead and other contaminants from leaching into drinking water. The Army report is available as a PDF here and the Navy report is available as a PDF here. And CuraPoxy®, CuraFlo’s epoxy, is certified to meet ANSI/NSF Standard 61 - the U.S. government’s standard for safe drinking water. This means that it’s certified for use in potable (drinking) water pipes up to 180° Fahrenheit (82.2° Celsius).

If you do have lead contamination, it’s most likely because of one or more of the following:
• lead service line pipe(s) connecting your house to the municipal water main
• lead-based solder (used to join copper pipes)
• brass or chrome-plated brass faucets.

Lead pipes are no longer used, but in older buildings and homes like yours, the service line from the municipal water main to the house may be a lead pipe - something you should confirm. Unless your piping has been upgraded in the past 40 years, it is probably galvanized pipe (iron with a zinc coating) which does not require lead solder to join the pipe. You may already know if your faucets are brass or chrome-plated, but if not, you might want to consult with a licensed plumber or take them with you to a local hardware store. If you’re interested in learning more about the history of lead materials in water pipes, the CuraFlo website has a brief discussion here.

-Dr. Dave

We have radiant heat (all copper tubing) in our floor. We have a leak in the system. Can your product be used to repair it? Also would your product affect the transmission of heat in the floor.

-Ryan

Ryan, epoxy lining technology is great for protecting a new system and can assist with repairing an older system with one or more small diameter leaks less than 1/8” in size. It’s not the cure all for all pipe leaks: the pipe must be metal; it must be structurally sound; and the leak must be from a pinhole, and not a crack, split or some other catastrophic failure. If the leak is too large, a repair must be made prior to the lining procedure. A certified CuraFlo professional can work with your system’s installer to determine the best way to make the repair(s).

Once in the pipes, the epoxy lining does provide some insulating properties (i.e. it will slow down the heat transfer), but this is not significant enough to interfere with the performance of your radiant heating system. The circulating hot water temperature of in-floor radiant heating systems are typically between 120° to 125° Fahrenheit (48.9° – 51.7° Celsius). Most epoxies are effective at these temperatures, and will allow your system to perform as designed.

-Brian

Doesn’t adding an epoxy lining to pipes make them narrower? Wouldn’t that mean that there would be less water flowing through and at higher pressure?

-Patrick

Patrick, depending on the diameter of the pipe, the epoxy coating is applied to a thickness between 0.20 and 5 millimeters, resulting in a corresponding reduction in interior pipe diameters. Applied to these specifications, it has never caused velocity or delivery problems in systems. In fact, cured epoxy’s surface is so smooth that it creates less friction than new copper. So even with the reduced diameter caused by the coating, the flow rate is actually greater than an uncoated pipe. We have upgraded over 12,000 suites during the past 10 years, and to date we have not had a velocity or flow problem.

The existing copper pipes in your building may already have a coating of copper oxide (green scale), galvanized steel pipes may have extensive corrosion and buildup. While the corrosion build up in copper pipes may not be as thick as the epoxy lining we apply, the corrosion currently coating your pipes can be extremely rough, causing turbulence and reduced water flow.

By contrast, lined pipes are glassy smooth. This offers little restriction to water flow. Most importantly, unlike new pipes, they remain glassy smooth over the years and never restrict water flow.

-Brian

Do city and county governments approve of using CuraFlo epoxy pipe lining, or any other companies’ epoxy pipe lining?

-Don

Don, the epoxies we use for the lining of plumbing systems have been tested and certified to meet the ANSI/NSF Standard 61 which is the strictest health standard for products coming in contact with drinking water. Based on this certification, Regional Health Authorities have approved the lining.Epoxy lining processes can also be certified to meet industry-recognized standards. Our lining process is certified to meet IGC-189, which is the standard set by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO). The codes established by this organization are recognized and adopted by many regional authorities.

Many regional municipalities have been using epoxy lining in their own water mains and reservoirs since the early 1990’s and in water treatment plants since the 1950’s. They value this technology for its ability to preserve water quality and restore and protect easily eroded and corroded surfaces.

Special note: A mechanical engineer with an understanding of epoxies, corrosion and metallurgical experience is your best bet for a detailed evaluation of your existing plumbing system. They can test review and write the specifications for the epoxy lining (upgrading) of your water delivery system.