As a local water filtration specialist serving the Charlotte region and surrounding communities like Huntersville, Concord, Mooresville, and Matthews, one of the most common — and costly — problems we encounter is pinhole leaks in plumbing. These tiny, persistent leaks often go unnoticed until there’s water damage or signs of corrosion. But what’s causing them?
For many homeowners on private wells, the answer is simple but often overlooked: acidic water.
Acidic Water: A Silent Plumbing Killer
In homes with well water, especially around Charlotte and the Lake Norman area, it’s common to find water with a low pH — meaning it’s slightly acidic. Water with a pH below 7 is corrosive and slowly eats away at copper plumbing over time. The result? Pinhole leaks, blue-green stains, and ultimately expensive plumbing repairs.
This kind of damage doesn’t happen overnight. Acidic water can quietly corrode your plumbing for years before the first symptoms appear.
Early Warning Signs to Watch For
You may have acidic water if you’ve noticed any of the following:
- Small pinhole leaks in copper pipes
- Blue-green staining in sinks, tubs, or toilets
- Water with a metallic or sour taste
- Frequent plumbing repairs or low water pressure
If you see any of these issues and you’re on a private well, there’s a high chance your water chemistry is the root cause.
A Well Water Test Is the First Step
The only way to know for sure is to test your well water. A basic at-home test kit won’t give you the full picture — especially when it comes to pH, hardness, alkalinity, copper, and other corrosion indicators. We recommend a comprehensive professional water test, which we offer as part of our local service throughout the greater Charlotte area.
Once we understand what’s in your water, we can build a system that not only protects your plumbing but also improves your water quality throughout the home.
How We Fix Acidic Water in Charlotte Wells
If testing confirms low pH, we typically recommend a neutralizer system — using either calcite media or a combination of calcite and magnesium oxide — to safely raise the pH and stop the corrosion. In some cases, especially with very low pH or large homes, a chemical feed system might be more effective.
Each well is unique, so we take a custom approach to every solution, considering your flow rate, plumbing layout, and other water conditions like iron, manganese, or hardness.
Protect Your Plumbing Before the Leaks Start
If you’re on a private well in the Charlotte area and are seeing early signs of pinhole leaks, don’t wait for a flood or major repair. Fixing a leak is a temporary patch — treating the water is the real solution.
We’re a locally owned water treatment company that understands the specific water chemistry challenges of this region. Let us test your water and help you protect your home with the right solution — built just for you.
If you’re interested in clean water in your home – schedule a free, no-obligation in-home water analysis with an Artisanal Water local expert.
Call (704) 315-6344 or fill out our contact form.
