Today, galvanized pipes are only used in gas supplies in rare and specified cases.
If you are reading this, then you might have heard about galvanized pipes. So what exactly are galvanized pipes? Galvanized pipes are long, steel pipes that have been dipped in a layer of protective zinc coating to help prevent rust and corrosion. Galvanized pipes were created to replace the old lead piping that is used for home water supply lines. Today, these pipes are only used in gas supplies in rare and specified cases. When it comes to your house’s plumbing, experts all agree that they should be replaced with piping made from better materials. Read on to learn more about repairing or replacing your galvanized pipes.
Why Do My Galvanized Pipes Have to be Replaced?
After many years of use, steel pipes with zinc covering will start to develop serious rusting and corrosion. If a house has galvanized pipes, they were probably installed decades ago (as new home builders never install galvanized pipes for water lines. Therefore, any piping that is currently installed in a house could be a health risk. Years of corrosion and rust could lead to blocked water flow and even lead particles leaching into the water supply. If your house is 40 years old or older, you may have pipes that have to be replaced.
How To Tell if My Pipes are Truly Galvanized?
Galvanized pipes were the color of a nickel, but as time passes, they start to appear dull in color. To see which types of pipes you have, grab a magnet and a screwdriver and locate your water line. Scratch the outside of your pipe with your screwdriver, if your pipe is galvanized steel, you will see a silver or gray color where you scratched. Now touch the magnet to the pipe, if it sticks, it’s galvanized. If you’re having trouble doing this, call in the expert plumbers from Alpha Plumbing.
The Best Alternatives to Galvanized Piping
There are a lot of things to consider when choosing which type of piping your home requires. The best way to do this is by discussing it with a plumber who can run down the options with you, then assess and replace your pipes if needed. The main replacement options are PVC pipes, rigid copper pipes, or PEX pipes.
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 also own and operate our own backhoes for jobs requiring excavation.
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.