Answering Your Questions On Galvanized Plumbing

Apr 1

It’s considered a curse word to some people. They say it in hushed tones or cover their children’s ears before talking about it. We’re honestly surprised that it isn’t censored during television commercials and radio ads. Maybe we’ll start a petition — who knows?

If you’re a Georgia homeowner or are planning to become one soon, there's a great chance you've heard the word we’re talking about…. “Galvanized.” Did it send shivers down your spine? Maybe you're already dealing with galvanized plumbing and are struggling with poor water pressure, rusty water, or ongoing leaks. In any case, we’re going to jump into all things galvanized plumbing today.

As a Master Plumber with over a decade of experience around the greater Atlanta area, I’ve fielded countless questions about galvanized plumbing. What even is it? Is it really that bad? Do I have to repipe my whole house, or are plumbers just trying to cheat me? Should I buy a home with galvanized plumbing? Here are our honest, experienced answers to the most common questions regarding galvanized plumbing — no fluff, no sales pitch, no nonsense.

What Is Galvanized Plumbing?

The pipes in your home that carry water in every direction can be made from a variety of materials. A galvanized pipe refers to steel piping that has been coated in a protective layer of zinc. For a long time, this was the standard for residential plumbing, because it was relatively inexpensive and built to be rust-resistant with its zinc coating. If your home was built sometime before 1985 and hasn’t had a full repipe since then, chances are that your plumbing is likely made from galvanized steel pipes.

How Do I Know If My Pipes Are Galvanized?

If you’re not sure whether or not your home has galvanized plumbing, here’s a simple DIY test:

Find an exposed pipe in your basement, crawl space, or near your water heater.
Scratch it with a screwdriver.
Check the color under the scratch:

If it’s silver-gray and the pipe is magnetic, it's galvanized steel.
If it’s copper in color, it's copper!
If it’s white and non-magnetic, it's likely plastic (CPVC or PEX).
If the metal is ‘soft’ and dull gray, you might be looking at lead (which is a serious concern).

If you're still unsure after doing the test — or can’t do the test for any reason — just reach out to us for an inspection! We’d love to give you a clear answer and provide any further direction.

How Long Does Galvanized Plumbing Last?

To be fair, these pipes can last between 40 to 60 years under ideal conditions. But if there’s anything I’ve learned in plumbing, it's that the real world is never ideal. Poor installation, high water pressure, and natural corrosion over time will all cut that lifespan short. As galvanized pipes start to age out, a slew of plumbing problems will begin to arise. Persistent or repetitive issues are the first sign that your galvanized pipes are on their last legs. And if you do the math, 1985 was 40 years ago, so a lot of galvanized homes have begun to age out and are in need of repipes — or the alternative: ongoing maintenance.

Is Galvanized Plumbing Really That Bad?

It wasn’t a bad plumbing material in the mid-1900’s. There’s a reason it was so popular and well-received for a number of decades, but it’s now considered outdated and problematic. As time goes on, the zinc coating actually erodes and exposes the steel underneath. This completely compromises the rust-resistance and snowballs into the buildup of rust that clogs the pipe and reduces water pressure. Even worse, flakes of rust can actually get into your water and cause health concerns. Since this corrosion happens on the inside of the pipe, you won’t be able to see the condition of your plumbing until it's too late and the pipe bursts or springs a leak.

Homes with old galvanized pipes will typically be experiencing a wide range of plumbing problems, including:

Low water pressure from pipe buildup
Rusty or discolored water
Frequent leaks
Water damage to walls or flooring from hidden pipe failures
Incompatibility with newer plumbing systems

Our team at Rx carries inspection cameras that allow us to journey into your pipes and see any buildup or corrosion before it's too late. Reach out to us for an inspection and stay ahead of the curve!

Is It Safe to Drink Water from Galvanized Pipes?

It’s completely safe to drink water from galvanized pipes that are still in good condition. However, once rust buildup and corrosion begins, your water may start to carry traces of the rust, other impurities, and possibly lead. If you start to notice any discoloration or metallic taste in your water, you should look into getting it tested.

Another option that we advise for everyone to consider is the installation of a whole-house water filtration system. No matter what material your home’s plumbing is made of, there are contaminants in our tap water that you can learn more about here. Our team can order and install a filtration system for your home that delivers pure water to every tap.

So Does Galvanized Plumbing Need to Be Replaced?

We’ll shoot it to you straight. If we get called out to a home to make a plumbing repair and find that the pipes in question are galvanized, we will advise that you repipe all of the galvanized plumbing in your home. There’s no question about it: a full replacement is the best long-term solution. If your system is experiencing an issue in one place, it means that the piping has aged out and run its course. Buildup in one location will cause other problems with added pressure and corrosion. If the condition of your pipes has gotten bad enough to cause a clog or leak, the zinc coating has likely corroded away in more places.

It is more cost effective in the long run to pay for a one-time repipe of your entire system than to pay for expensive replacements and patches over time, risking repetitive clogs, leaks, and even water damage from pipe bursts. When it comes to replacing galvanized plumbing, it isn’t a matter of ‘if’ but a matter of ‘when.’

What If I’m Not Ready to Repipe My Home?

We understand when many homeowners say that they simply aren’t ready to repipe their entire home. We will always advise that it’s better done sooner than later — if finances allow. Nobody wants to hear it, but it's the truth! Once the zinc coating on galvanized steel has deteriorated, your plumbing system will only get worse and worse. Opting for spot repairs can alleviate leaks and clogs for a time, but it won’t keep them from developing. We recommend that you prioritize setting aside money every week to begin saving up for a whole home repipe.

Depending on the size and layout of your home, a full repipe can take us a few days to a week. Once complete, you’ll have better water quality, improved pressure, increased home value, and no more pesky clogs and leaks!

Should I Buy a House with Galvanized Plumbing?

We don’t think this should be an immediate deal-breaker like some might suggest. However, it should absolutely impact your expectations and dictate your offer. Don’t move forward without first getting an experienced licensed plumber to inspect the condition of the plumbing. A standard home inspector does not have the expertise to give you an accurate assessment of the pipes.

Our team at RX-Plumbing frequently does these inspections and can provide a clear breakdown of what you’re looking at in terms of maintenance, repair, or replacement. We’ll determine the age of the pipes and look for any signs of corrosion or irregular water pressure. This can give you significant leverage when negotiating with the seller.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Galvanized Pipe Replacement?

Most homeowners insurance policies only cover water damage caused by sudden accidents. So a preventative replacement of this sort is usually considered a maintenance responsibility and won’t be covered by your insurance.

Georgia’s Galvanized Pipe Replacement Experts

There’s a lot of talk that goes around when someone mentions the word ‘galvanized.’ Some people will say it's all hogwash and swear by its longevity, convinced that plumbers are just trying to make an extra buck. Others will panic and tell you that you have lead poisoning if your pipes are galvanized. Truth is, it’s a common plumbing material from a bygone era that has simply run its course. Nothing lasts forever, and that’s especially true for galvanized pipes.

Whether you’re living in an older home, buying one, or just trying to understand your plumbing system, you should take galvanized pipes seriously. Even if they look just fine, corrosion begins from within. Understand that a whole-home pipe replacement will have to take place eventually.

If you’re in Sugar Hill, Cumming, Buford, or anywhere else in the greater Atlanta area, we can help you understand your plumbing system and plan for the future. Our team is 5-star rated for our clean work, fast turnarounds, and honest attitudes. We use top-tier materials for all of our work and always treat your home with the care and attention it deserves.

Jonathan Gorash