Galvanized Pipes - Why are they Bad? - The Houston Home Inspector

[@rahulshah1408]

Fantastic advice. I am doing my own repair at the moment. But considering a long term replacement of the whole system. You’ll by top of the list (IAH area). Cheers.

[@headachebaby]

Very informative and covered a lot. It's the best video I've found on galvanized pipes.

[@jaymesmurphy955]

Wow!! Love this guy. Great job. Very informative! And that background?! That’s awesome!!!

[@kaaaah2003]

Very informative. Thanks

[@ColinBrazier]

Another great Vid, always a good watch :-)

[@cbailly1]

Great Video, enjoyed the new editing format. keep it up.

[@theodorgiosan2570]

In my area there is iron water pipe that is not galvanized, but just plain iron. Non-standard diameters and no modern fittings work on them. I have one feeding my house, it's from the 1860s-1870s. Our pipes are in the basements here so I have no problem replacing galvanized pipe with more galvanized pipe. I do my own plumbing so no issues with paying plumbers to do it. Since we have an iron water main using galvanized pipe in the house is cheap insurance against dissimilar metals corrosion. Replacing pipe in the house is a whole lot cheaper than replacing the underground water line to the street. And the water here reacts with copper and causes pinhole leaks. We've also seen leaks in PEX that we have no idea what caused them. Unless you use all plastic fittings on PEX the water will corrode away the brass fittings. There are some galvanized pipes in my house that are over 100 years old, no leaks. CPVC gets brittle when it gets old and being that the pipes are in the basement and there's no real risk when it comes to leaks (most houses here only have plumbing on the first floor), the galvanized lasts the longest. Still common to see galvanized for the water mains here even on new construction. Not for the interior plumbing but the service lateral from the street. I've seen houses as late as 2005 that have interior galvanized plumbing, because the copper gets pinhole leaks and the other pipes are a big risk in freezing temperatures. But it's totally different in Texas, different water, different climate, etc. I couldn't believe it when you said the water heater is in the attic! Seriously? Over here the water heater, boiler, plumbing, electric are all in the basement underneath the house, and there's usually a sump pump in case the basement floods.

[@southstarhomeinspections4422]

Great stuff Chris!

[@jonhowell7395]

Well done!

[@dojifly]

Thanks, just found you. We are in the Kuykendahl/West Rayford Rd area. Just retired after 30 years as a property insurance adjuster. I have seen a lot of homes all over the US where the new owners should have had a good home inspector prior to closing. I am level one certified thermographer and have inspected quite a few homes in my past life. If you ever get real busy and could use some help I would be happy to fill that role. Great videos, thanks!

[@htconesv897]

Thank you!

[@dutchleussink156]

Thank You Sir

[@JasonRigden]

Great video!!

[@luisnavarro8683]

Great vid 👍🏽

[@the-trinhnguyen6907]

thank you so much !

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

You're welcome!

[@mioangel1227]

Very informative! TFS! Cost to replace part of 1" boiler pipe in NYC about $43.00 a feet! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[@sc00b3rt]

I have galvanized pipes. 1950s house. Cool thing is they made a little room that has all the plumbing inside and it is all easy to get to. 1500 quote to replace it and the drains.

[@Vincerama]

1500 for that work is a total steal! I hope you did it!

[@jacqueshacerias1204]

Can you do a breakdown the electric systems in old homes? Specifically what is involved in replacing old cloth covered wire to modern standard code. Would it be possible to do this in phases throughout the entire house? What do home inspectors look for when they encounter this type of old wiring. Big fan of your channel. Thanks for all you do.

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

Thank you! Looks like electrical is next

[@terminaterjohn]

i bought a house in 2022 with galvanized piping. Currently the water pressure is good and plumber said water quality is good. Soooo i think i will not repipe for a while? but i am interested in that polymer temp solution to extend life even farther? Or i can just do nothing lol so many options to consider. repiping is expensive in my area.

[@dougl6304]

Any problem with rats or rodents chewing PEX, ABS, galvanized or copper pipes? Great videos.

[@silveravnt]

Gophers or moles will chew plastic pipes under a slab. Run them through a protective sleeve.

[@bigjack79]

I feel like I heard you mention in a video that you dad is an inspector in Dallas. Can you post his website or contact? Also, can you do a video on buying a home with a supporting retaining wall and the inspection process. I am under contract for a new build in the Frisco area that has a 10 feet retaining wall that is 50 feet behind the house. My lot is on the bottom of the retaining wall. There will be a house on the top side as well. The back of that house will be 20-30 feet from the retaining wall. Thanks

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

I can but that one will take some time. I can write it down for our list. g.page/AActionRealtyInspectionsDallas?share This is my fathers company up North.

[@AngelofOntario]

What do you recommend to replace 3” (I think it’s 3” - matches the size of the driven well point pipe) galvanized pipe from the driven well point to the water pump!??? I have a section between two unions that is rusting bad, but tap water is not colored. Yet. Also have 1” galvanized pipe between the water pump & pressure tank. Then goes to copper to rest of house.

[@theodorgiosan2570]

Either PVC, brass, stainless, or more galvanized pipe. Galvanized is standard for wells. Stainless is the best, it doesn't corrode at all, but it's quite expensive. It doesn't have issues with dissimilar metals corrosion like the other materials though, so it's a good choice if you have a mix of ferrous and non-ferrous materials.

[@andrewqazxsw]

My house has galvanized piping (built in 50s) and I don’t have any problem, water tastes fine, it’s not discolored, no rusting problem on the exterior of pipes, so it’s not something too serious a problem for me, sucks that others do have a problem tho

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

If you are up north they do not cause as much issues.

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

I should have added that in the video

[@Therealhomeinspectionauthority]

Great video , what state are you in? I’m in California

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

Texas

[@plumppickle4u108]

Copper and galvanized pipes together cause eflourecence or how ever you spell it, should always have a spacer to keep from rusting. I forget what the spacer is called

[@ColinBrazier]

Are you thinking of the dielectric union ?

[@PG-wi9oq]

@@ColinBrazier yep! dielectric union..Keeps from rusting from pipe to pipe

[@shaunedwards4893]

My galvanized pipes from the 30s is like brand new. Elbows are the problem with scale.

[@user-nq8vm2iv9v]

Same with mine. Or did the galvanized pipe scaling accumulate at the, in my case, cast iron elbows? or does the cast iron elbows also scale ? I replace the whole draining system from both bathrooms. My water lines are copper.

[@cathylecce2993]

what if the galvanized pipe is clogged ? pipe is going into the basement floor? laundry and sink water not getting through

[@AActionHomeInspectionHouston]

You will need to reroute your plumbing most likely.

[@jmdenali]

Hey!!! We young guys in the 1980s did NOT look like the weirdo you guys depicted on there. Us young men knew what kind of neighborhood he was from!

[@golfwipe]

Pex is failing 10 years??