Due to the age of the homes north of Chicago, galvanized pipes—and other metal pipes—are a common problem. Below is our list of the most frequently asked questions we have received about galvanized pipes.
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Galvanized pipes are steel pipes that have been dipped in a protective zinc coating to prevent corrosion and rust. Galvanized piping was commonly installed in homes built before . When it was invented, galvanized pipe was an alternative to lead pipe for water supply lines. Today, however, we have learned that decades of exposure to water will cause galvanized pipes to corrode and rust on the inside.
No piping system lasts forever, but galvanized pipes have a life span of between 40 to 100 years. If your home’s pipes are from the s or earlier, they are likely nearing the end of their functional life span. However, there’s a reason galvanized pipes are no longer used in modern construction: the risk they pose to a home’s water supply and people’s health.
By far, the most significant problem related to galvanized pipes is the mineral deposits that accumulate within the piping. Over time, it causes a reduction in water pressure and pollutes your home’s water. And as rust and corrosion deepen, they compromise the piping system’s stability and cause leaks.
As old and corroded galvanized pipes age, they can release accumulated lead into your tap water. That lead can pose significant health concerns, as ingesting too much can result in lead poisoning, and its symptoms include fatigue, headaches, insomnia, nausea, constipation, abdominal pain, and reduced cognitive abilities. High doses of lead are of particular concern with children, as it can hinder their brain development and lead to lifelong health issues.
When first installed, galvanized pipes look like nickel in color. But as they age, galvanized pipes may appear much duller, lighter, or darker, depending on their environment. We’ve also seen homes where the water pipes have been painted, so it can be difficult to tell at first glance.
Do you know that you have galvanized pipes and need them replaced? Call the experts at American Vintage Home at (847) 999- for pipe replacement today!
If you can’t tell by looking at your pipes, there is a quick test to tell if they are galvanized. Simply grab a flathead screwdriver and a strong magnet. Start by finding your water line and scratch the outside of the pipe with the screwdriver.
The scratched area will look like a copper penny. A magnet will NOT stick to it.
The scratched area will appear ivory or white in color. A magnet will NOT stick to it.
The scratched area will have a silver-gray color. A strong magnet will stick to it.
The scratched area will have a dull silver-gray color, and the metal will usually be soft and easy to scratch. A magnet will NOT stick to it. Lead pipes are easy to bend and may be misshapen. If you have lead pipes, we recommend replacement if possible.
Be sure to scratch-test your pipes in multiple areas. It’s not uncommon to have more than one type of piping on your water line.
The galvanized pipes installed on water lines between and were dipped in molten, naturally occurring zinc. Naturally occurring zinc is impure, so these pipes were bathed in zinc that also contained lead and other impurities. The zinc coating elongated the life of the steel pipes but added small amounts of lead and other substances that could harm inhabitants.
Additionally, if your galvanized pipes were ever connected to lead plumbing (including service lines) there is more cause for concern. The corrosion inside galvanized steel pipes could have trapped small pieces of lead. Even if the lead piping was removed years ago, the galvanized steel pipes could still periodically release the trapped lead into the water flow. Chicago didn’t stop using lead pipes for service lines until , and an estimated 400,000 lead service lines are still in use in Chicago alone.
The only way to ensure that lead is not mobilized from plumbing to tap in a given home is to fully replace the galvanized plumbing and any lead service lines.
Due to the restriction of the line, corrosion in galvanized pipes can cause lower water pressure throughout your home.
If some of your taps have low water pressure but others don’t, this could be a symptom of galvanized pipes. Corrosion can build up unevenly. Also, part of the galvanized pipeline could have been replaced in your home but not everywhere.
Galvanized pipes can release iron and cause discoloration. A clear indicator of this is a brown stain on a porcelain sink.
Given enough time, galvanized pipes will rust through and cause more damage to your home.
For a permanent fix, replacing all galvanized pipes is the best option, as it ensures all the rust and lead in the piping system is completely removed. While repiping an entire house is a big project, the payoffs are well worth the investment. The repiping process begins with an inspection to identify any unique problems that should be addressed. A replacement piping material is then selected, typically copper, PVC, or PEX for freshwater lines and ABS or PVC for waste and drain pipes.
After protecting your home from possible damage, qualified plumbers use specialized tools to locate existing pipes, remove them, and replace them with new ones.
Depending on your home’s size, a repiping project can take up to a week to complete. As pertaining to cost, the pipe material you choose and how much piping you need determines the final price. Older and vintage homes often have special considerations, such as plaster walls, that can result in the job taking longer and costing more.
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Mild steel tube is a carbon steel pipe made of carbon steel with a low carbon content as the main raw material, processed by rolling, welding or seamless process. It is widely used in building structures, industrial equipment, pipeline transportation, automobile manufacturing and other fields. Sometimes, in order to improve the service life of mild steel tubes in harsh environments, galvanizing is often used to form a zinc layer on the surface of the steel pipe, thereby improving the corrosion resistance. So, if all factors are considered, which is better, galvanized or non-galvanized mild steel tube?
The choice of galvanized and non-galvanized mild steel tubes needs to be comprehensively judged according to the specific usage scenarios and needs. The following is a detailed comparison of manufacturing process, durability, usage differences and price differences:
Differences in manufacturing process
1. Galvanized mild steel tube
A dense zinc layer is formed on the surface of the steel pipe through hot dip galvanizing (immersing the steel pipe in molten zinc liquid) or electrogalvanizing (electrolytic deposition of zinc layer) process. The galvanizing process increases the ability to resist oxidation and corrosion, but the process is complex and energy consumption is high.
2. Non-galvanized mild steel tube
It is directly rolled or welded from low-carbon steel, without the need for coating treatment, with a simple manufacturing process and low cost.
Differences in durability
1. Galvanized mild steel tube
The zinc layer provides dual protection (physical barrier + sacrificial anode protection), significantly extending the service life (up to 20-50 years). However, the zinc layer may fall off due to mechanical damage or long-term exposure to strong acid/alkali environments, resulting in local corrosion.
2. Non-galvanized mild steel tube
There is no risk of coating shedding, and the initial surface is smoother. However, the steel pipe is prone to rust when directly exposed to moisture, salt spray or corrosive environments, and has a short lifespan (generally 5-15 years).
Differences in usage scenarios
1. Galvanized mild steel tube
It is widely used in occasions where anti-corrosion protection is required, such as outdoor pipe networks (water supply, drainage systems), agricultural irrigation, HVAC systems and other fields that are prone to moisture or in corrosive environments. In harsh environments, galvanized steel pipes can better resist external factors and reduce subsequent maintenance costs.
2. Non-galvanized mild steel tubes
Suitable for indoor, dry environments or areas with low anti-corrosion requirements, such as building structures, internal supports, decoration, etc. When used in wet or corrosive environments, additional protective measures or more frequent maintenance are required.
Differences in price
1. Galvanized mild steel tubes
Due to the addition of the galvanizing process (whether hot-dip or electroplating), the production cost is higher, resulting in a generally higher market price than non-galvanized steel pipes. However, the long-term maintenance cost is low, reducing the frequency of replacement and anti-corrosion treatment.
2. Non-galvanized mild steel tubes
The manufacturing process is simple, there is no additional anti-corrosion treatment cost, so the price is low, suitable for cost-sensitive projects. The long-term maintenance cost is high, and corroded parts need to be painted or replaced regularly.
Comprehensive recommendations
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