If your home was built before the 1960s, your plumbing system is made of galvanized steel or iron pipes. For many decades, galvanized pipes were the norm in home construction, but the world has changed, and that means you will need to upgrade your plumbing system if your property has galvanized pipes. Here are a few good reasons why they should be replaced.
What Are Galvanized Pipes
For most of the modern era, lead pipes were employed in constructing most plumbing systems. Fortunately, we ultimately learned that lead pipes were a significant safety risk. Lead pipes were no longer acceptable, and we required new materials. Steel and iron were viable options, although they rusted over time. This is where galvanization comes into play. Pipes had no buffer zone against the elements since they were coated in a protective zinc layer. These galvanized pipes, however, were not a long-term answer.
Galvanized Pipes Are Potentially Dangerous
As time passed, it became clear that galvanized pipes had a few problems. These included:
- Corrosion and rust are common problems with galvanized pipes over time. Rust is not prevented by galvanization. It just adds a new layer to the pipe that was before exposed to rust.
- Impurities such as lead or other heavy metals are frequently found in the zinc layer of galvanized pipes.
- According to lab studies, these pipes can contain up to ten times the level of lead considered toxic. These containments can contaminate your water if corrosion occurs.
- When the interior of galvanized pipes corrodes sufficiently, iron can enter the water and turn it brown.
Replace Those Galvanized Pipes
The solution is simple: if your property has galvanized pipes, you should consider upgrading. Replacing old pipes with new pipes may be expensive, but it will save you a lot of money in the long term. However, if your pipes appear in decent condition and you don’t anticipate staying in your home for decades, you might be okay with some minor maintenance. However, in most circumstances, replacing those old galvanized pipes makes sense. Don’t hesitate to contact Alpha Plumbing for help with your pipe replacement needs.
A RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL PLUMBING COMPANY YOU CAN TRUST
Alpha Plumbing is a full-service plumbing and contracting company serving the Baltimore and Annapolis metro area with expertise in all aspects of plumbing. We’re family-owned and operated since 1991 from our office in Pasadena. We offer quality plumbing services at reasonable rates in a timely fashion. Our trucks are equipped with GPS systems to ensure we’re prompt and on time. No job is too large or too small! We maintain a fleet of well-stocked trucks and own and operate our backhoes for excavating jobs. For more information and to get a free no-obligation estimate, you can contact us on our website, send us an e-mail, or give us a call at (410) 255-5998.