Executive Summary: Galvanized Pipe

• Homes built before the 1960s are likely to have galvanized pipes.
• Life expectancy for galvanized pipe is 30-50 years.  But, the characteristics of the water that has been provided by those pipes could affect the deterioration.
• Signs of galvanized pipe concerns are low water pressure, corrosion on the pipe’s exterior, and/or occasional discoloration of water.

Intro: Your Agent Says You Have Galvanized Pipe

Jim and Andrea are selling their 1950’s home in Prairie Village.  They’ve hired a great professional real estate agent who realized in their listing appointment that the original pipes in the home were galvanized.  The agent began to ask some questions:

• How’s the water pressure?
• Have you ever had discoloration appear in your water from time to time?
• Are there any signs of rusting on the water pipes?

If you’ve been involved in the real estate industry for a while you probably know that galvanized pipes can be a concern.  Let’s explore why.

What Are Galvanized Pipes?

​Galvanizing is a process where steel or iron is coated with zinc to help reduce the corrosive impact on the pipe.  It was first used in the 1700s.  It is still in use today.  However, it is no longer used in residential plumbing.

Galvanized pipes began to be used in the early 20th Century in place of iron and lead pipes.  The goal was to help protect the steal and cause the pipes to last longer.  

Over time, it was realized that galvanized pipes actually corroded from the inside out.  A rust build-up that occurs on the inside actually narrows the space within the pipe.  The end result is a restricted water flow.

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What to Do if My Home Has Galvanized Pipe?

Now Jim and Andrea know they have galvanized pipe in their plumbing system.  Perhaps they’ve seen low water pressure and some occasional discoloration in the water from the rusting in the pipes.  What does all of that mean?

First, every component in your home has a life expectancy.  Electrical to flooring to siding and even plumbing there is a reasonable life expectancy.  The life expectancy of galvanized pipes is believed to be about 40-50 years.  It could last longer than that or shorter than that based on the nature of the water supply.

When the signs of low pressure, discoloration, or exterior rusting appear the likelihood for replacement is high.  The process of replacement is called a replumb.  

A replumb disconnects the existing water supply and installs new lines.  The number of fixtures a home has and the number of stories it has will impact the cost of a replumb.

It is important to note that there are times where a section of galvanized pipe may be replaced because it is leaking from corrosion.  This is ultimately a temporary fix because it is likely the entire system was installed at the same time and corrosion is present elsewhere and thus restricting your water flow or corroding and leading towards a future leak.

Conclusion: Moving Forward with Galvanized Pipes

With the help of their agent and a pre-inspection, Jim and Andrea were able to develop a strategy to deal with their galvanized pipes to help them list their home. As a result, they could move forward without this becoming a surprise in the transaction process.  In their case, they documented the water pressure was excellent, and they did a water quality test to demonstrate the water was safe.  This helped their buyers have confidence in moving forward with the purchase.

Build a relationship with your Home Partners Inspections team and your favorite real estate agent so that you can have great strategies in place for taking care of the home challenges you face.  If a repair or replumb is necessary, check with your agent or our team for a referral.

Notable Resources

• ​How to Remove Old Galvanized Water Lines in Old House​
• ​Video of large galvanized drain pipe being cut​