How do you remove pipe rust?
- Prepare the materials needed
- Scrub the pipe with an abrasive material
- Use an effective removal solution
- Prevent future rust with special coatings
If your metal pipes are starting to rust, you want to mitigate the problem before it worsens over time. There are remedies that you can try on your own but if the problem is severe, you might need to replace your piping system with new materials. Here are some tips on how to remove pipe rust!
Prepare The Materials Needed
Before you start removing rust from your pipes, you need to make sure that you’re doing it safely. Shut off the main valves from the main water or gas line and wear the right personal protective equipment for the job. If you’re handling chemicals, ensure that you have the proper hand gloves, eye goggles, and mask ready. Other than that, you should work in a well-ventilated area away from kids and pets.
When scrubbing the rust off from the pipes, you might need sandpaper, steel wool, or a wire brush. To reduce the elbow grease needed, you can also opt for power tools that can remove rust from pipes.
Aside from these, you might also need rust removers. Some people use baking soda, lemon, vinegar, and citric acid. But if you want to use commercial products, there are rust removers available in hardware. After that, stock up on primers and protective coatings with rust-inhibiting properties.
Scrub The Pipe with an Abrasive Material
Scrubbing is a great way to remove rust without the use of chemicals. If you intend to transform the look of the pipe, it can also help get rid of the paint.
To start, use a coarse grinder to take away most of the rusted parts. Don’t forget the seams and corners. A wire wheel attachment or detail sander might make this easier. After that, you can use fine-grit sandpaper to ensure that the pipe walls are smooth and seamless! Wipe the dust with a cloth before proceeding to the next step.
Depending on the severity of the rust, scrubbing it with abrasive materials might be enough to remove all the rusted parts. Otherwise, you might need to try other methods. Just ensure that the pipe is still in good shape or else you’ll end up with weak and fragile material that can crack or burst.
Use an Effective Removal Solution
Aside from scrubbing, another method you can try is to use rust removers! If you’re searching for remedies to remove pipe rust, you might have come across different methods using white vinegar, lemon juice, and citric acid. These are ingredients that are commonly found in the grocery and used for cleaning purposes. But many people try them because they contain acid that might be able to get rid of rust.
But if you’re looking for commercial products that can remove rust, you can opt for chemicals that are made for this specific purpose. Some old-school rust removers contain strong acids, so make sure that you follow the instructions to the letter. Meanwhile, there are newer acid-free and non-toxic solutions where you can soak your pipes. They will work slower, so you need to be patient.
Aside from these, you could also use rust converters, which are products that stop rust from spreading. These require less elbow grease and work faster than chemical removers. The only con is the rough finish that can be visible even with paint.
Prevent Future Rust with Special Coatings
If you’re successful in removing the rust from the pipe, you can rinse it water to get rid of traces of chemicals. Make sure that you collect all liquids during the rust removal and cleaning process and dispose of them properly. Then you can dry the pipe with a towel.
To prolong the life of your newly cleaned pipes, it is recommended to have them repainted with a rust-inhibiting coating. You can find these in a brush-on or aerosol-type product at hardware near you. Put on a primer made for metal surfaces before using the main product itself. When applying the paint, make sure to cover the entire pipe and not just the parts that had rust on them. Then seal with a topcoat.
Rust-inhibiting paint typically includes zinc that can help protect metals from rust in the future. This can significantly increase the lifespan of your pipes.
Key Takeaway
While it is possible to remove rust from pipes, doing it can make the material thinner than it used to be. The more severe the problem, the higher the chance that the pipe could crack when you use it again. It could cause gas leaks or burst under high water pressure. That’s why now that you know how to remove pipe rust, you should consider the possible consequences.
If the pipe rust is drastic, you might need to replace them soon with the help of a highly reputable steel pipe supplier in the Philippines! If you need assistance, Supreme Pipe will help you find the right product for your needs.