![]() Plastic pipes come in a variety of qualities and are most commonly used for drain pipes. PVC plastic pipes are also used in homes because they are easy to install and don’t rust or corrode. Pin leaks can also be a problem with copper pipes if there are large temperature fluctuations. Although copper pipes are long-lasting, older pipes may have a lead solder, which can leak lead into your water. Copper is smaller and lighter than galvanized steel pipes, which makes them easier to work with and install. Most new homes built in the 1980s used copper for indoor plumbing. As we mentioned earlier, lead continued to be the go-to pipe for plumbing until around the 1930s when galvanized steel gained in popularity.Īs early as the 1960s, galvanized pipes started being replaced with copper. The Romans used lead or clay piping to move water to bathhouses, residences and amphitheaters. Through the years, a variety of materials have been used to create pipes transfer water, including steel, copper, galvanized steel or iron, cast iron, concrete cement or asbestos cement, plastic and lead. Another way to coat a pipe with zinc is to use certain types of specially-formulated paint. Steel parts are sherardized after they are placed inside of a closed, rotating drum with zinc dust and a filler and heated to extreme temperatures. This method is ideal for coating inner surfaces and for smaller parts. Sherardising is sometimes also called vapor galvanizing or dry galvanizing. Using this technique, the resulting zinc coating is thinner than if the material was dipped, so these pipes can’t be used outside. Electrogalvanized coatings, also known as electroplating, are applied using an electrical current. Over time, other methods were developed, such as electro galvanizing, sherardizing, metallic spraying and painting. The process was developed in Europe in the 1830s.Īt first, metal was hand dipped into the molten zinc. Zinc can either be applied to iron or steel to give the metal a thin layer of protection against corrosion. Galvanization can be accomplished a few different ways. If the pipe in question is used for drinking water, you may be talking about a bigger problem. Lastly, when pipes start to corrode, lead can be released into your water, a problem which can be exacerbated if the copper piping is mixed with galvanized pipes. Even if you do decide to try to repair a galvanized pipe, you are still talking about a significant investment, and the pipes will never be quite the same. If pipes become damaged, a homeowner is typically faced with the tough decision of replacing them instead of repairing them, because the zinc layer is usually compromised at that point, which leads to the pipes corroding more quickly. Because these types of pipes are made of steel, they’re also very heavy to handle. The most obvious disadvantage of galvanized plumbing is the corrosion that builds up along the interior of the pipes over time. Another benefit of galvanized pipes is that they have a wider diameter to allow more water through when compared to copper. Galvanized pipes remain less expensive than copper and are more durable than plastic. These types of pipes are still often chosen in large construction projects and for outdoor plumbing. When galvanized pipes were first used, they were preferred because they were less costly than copper. Plastic pipes are usually black and clamps should be visible. Galvanized steel pipes, on the other hand, are a steel-gray color. If the surface of the pipe is the color of a penny, then the pipe is probably made from copper. ![]() Find the area where pipes enter your home and carefully scratch the pipe with a nickel. However, after decades of use, corrosion and rust build up on the inside of these pipes, which can cause problems. If you are unsure about what type, or types, of pipe you have in your home, there are a few ways you can tell. Steel pipes are galvanized when they are dipped into molten zinc. By the 1960s, galvanized steel had replaced lead as the building block of choice for plumbing. After increased pressure to curb lead poisoning, builders began looking for an alternative to lead pipes. By 1900, over 70 percent of larger cities used lead-based pipes in municipal drinking water systems. Lead was once the most common metal used to make pipes to transport water. Learn more about why you may need to upgrade your home’s plumbing, how long galvanized pipes last, whether these pipes contain lead and how to determine which kind of plumbing you have. Although there are benefits to using galvanized steel, your plumbing problems may be linked to these types of pipes. Some galvanized plumbing was still being installed as late as the 1980s. Many homes built after World War II, but prior to the 1960s, used galvanized steel pipes for indoor plumbing.
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