Shipping and boating companies and the US Navy install anodes on ships and boats to prevent corrosion. Water and gas companies use cathodic protection to prevent corrosion on their pipes, but they install an isolating adapter at the property line meter which leaves your pipes unprotected. Water heater manufacturers install magnesium anodes in water heaters to prevent corrosion. The guaranteed water heater life is based on the size of magnesium anode installed. Installation of magnesium or zinc anodes on buried pipes for all types of developed real estate will prevent corrosion on copper and galvanized steel pipes and prevent sub-slab leaks.
Galvanic corrosion occurs on pipes buried in soil.
Installation of anodes will divert corrosion from the pipes to the anode because magnesium and zinc are more active metals than pipe materials. Life of sacrificial anode is determined during installation and provided to owner. Subsequent replacement of anode after it corrodes away is necessary to maintain corrosion protection.