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Galvanized plumbing pipes are common to many homes throughout Hawai’i. And the process of dipping steel pipes into molten zinc to galvanize them has been around since the early 19th century. Although mainly found in homes built before the 60s & 70s, galvanized pipes are still available and common in outdoor and commercial water systems.
The most common problems associated with galvanized distribution pipes are corrosion, occlusion &deterioration inside the pipes that cause reduced flow, blockages and or leaks.
Corrosion at and around unions or joints is very common and lead to “pinhole” drips and eventually rust through causing failure and leaks. The water in distribution pipes is under pressure, and leaks that are undetected can cause thousands of dollars in damage.
Accelerated deterioration can occur when old galvanized pipe is connected or in contact with copper pipes. An electrolysis or “galvanic reaction occurs when these two metals are in contact that speeds up the deterioration.
The inside of galvanized pipes will become blocked over time, rust and debris can build up to the point where a toothpick could not pass through. This leads to a flow reduction that keeps appliances and bathroom fixtures from operating as intended.
The mere presence of galvanized pipes doesn’t constitute an immediate action item.However, if you are thinking of buying a home built before the 60s make sure your inspector is experienced and knows how to look for and how to identify the type(s) of distribution pipes in the house. Many homes have only partial upgrades to the most accessible portion of the pipes.
Galvanized pipes can be hidden if you don’t know where to look.If galvanized pipes are noted you should expect to have to replace them and should budget appropriately. Costs can range depending on the type of structure, typically however, both can be expensive.
