Precipitate Reactions

Precipitate buildup inside of a pipe

Precipitate reactions occur all around you, and some are even dramatic. Occasionally, your pipes at home may become clogged because precipitates of certain metals become deposited in the pipes. This can occur because water can contain a high content of metal ions, like carbonate and sulfate. However, just because you can write out a reaction on paper does not mean that it will happen. Also, just because metals are dissolved in metals does not mean that your pipes will clog. Reactions occur because there is some driving force propelling reactants towards products. In these reactions the products can be solids or gases. Also, remember to refer to the solubility rules when determining the solid of a precipitate reaction.