{"id":5669,"date":"2021-09-01T21:24:07","date_gmt":"2021-09-01T21:24:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pvcworkshop.com\/?p=5669"},"modified":"2021-09-01T21:24:07","modified_gmt":"2021-09-01T21:24:07","slug":"should-i-buy-a-house-with-galvanized-plumbing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pvcworkshop.com\/should-i-buy-a-house-with-galvanized-plumbing\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I Buy a House with Galvanized Plumbing?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A century ago, most homes used lead pipes for indoor plumbing, which was later replaced with cast-iron<\/a> pipes. Around the 1960s, home builders began using galvanized steel pipes<\/a> for the indoor plumbing systems for the supply of freshwater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This remained the norm for several years until builders started using materials such as copper<\/a> and plastic pipes for plumbing systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, is there a cause to worry about plumbing systems with galvanized steel? Should you buy a home with galvanized plumbing? In this article, we will examine what are galvanized pipes, how they affect your plumbing system<\/a> and your home and what you should do if your home has galvanized plumbing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

<\/a>What Are Galvanized Pipes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over time, iron and steel pipes replaced lead pipes<\/a> as materials for plumbing in homes; however, the biggest drawback of using these materials is that over time, iron and steel rust. And, to prevent the steel pipes from rusting and corrosion, the steel pipes were coated with zinc and these pipes were known as galvanized pipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the thing about galvanized pipes<\/a> is that since they are in contact with water all the time, the minerals in the water cause the zinc coating to wear off over time, which leaves the pipes at risk of build-up of rust inside the pipe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Problems With Galvanized Pipes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A few years ago, when newly installed, galvanized pipes with their nice and shiny nickel color were the most sought-after plumbing materials by homeowners and builders. However, after around 30 to 40 years of use, the zinc coatings wear away and start showing signs of rust, corrosion and other issues such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Corrosion and Rust Buildup<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Over time, galvanized pipes start to corrode and rust. The process of galvanization does not prevent the rust from building up and layers of rust begin to form over one another on the pipe. And, over the years, the protective zinc layer completely gets corroded and rusted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Potential Health Risk<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Often, the zinc in the galvanized pipes contains impurities such as lead and other types of heavy metals<\/a> that are hazardous to health. There have been instances where lab tests revealed that galvanized pipes contained up to 10x the amount of lead<\/a>, which according to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is highly hazardous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, once the pipes start rusting and corroding, the lead and other contaminants can get into the drinking water and cause serious health problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Low Water Pressure and Leaks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If your home has galvanized plumbing, it can suffer from problems such as low water pressure, pipe bursts<\/a> or pipe leaks. Often the pipe starts leaking at the joints, usually behind the walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The moisture and water build-up often remain unnoticed for very long periods, which may cause the growth of mold and mildew and structural damage to your home resulting in expensive repairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Rust-Colored Water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When the galvanized pipes start corroding, the iron from the pipes starts leaching into the water and giving it a rust-brown color.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>How Will I Know That My Home Has Galvanized Pipes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When galvanized pipes are newly installed, it has a metallic nickel coloring; however, as the pipe ages, it begins to look duller, darker or lighter. If you\u2019re unable to tell if the plumbing system<\/a> of your home has galvanized pipes by looking at it, then there is a simple test by which you can determine if the pipes are galvanized or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a flat-head screwdriver and a magnet. Using the screwdriver, scratch the exterior portion of the pipe with it and then check the results. If the scratched portion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n