So you’ve found your dream home. It checks off everything on your wish list – nice neighborhood, spacious layout, big backyard. As you tour the property, you admire the charming retro touches like the wallpaper and light fixtures. This mid-century charmer has vintage appeal.
There’s just one thing. As you glance around the basement, you notice the pipes have a dull gray, metallic look to them.
“Are those galvanized pipes?” you ask the seller.
She nods and explains the home was built in the 1950s. Your heart sinks a little. While galvanized steel pipes were common back in the day, they’re notorious now for causing major plumbing issues.
You start wondering: Should I buy a house with galvanized plumbing? What problems could it cause? Will I have to replace the pipes? And how much will that cost?
This article will give you a crash course on galvanized plumbing – what it is, why it fails, and most importantly, what it means for home buyers. Read on to learn the key considerations before investing in a property with these outdated pipes.
What are Galvanized Pipes?
First, a quick primer on what galvanized pipes are and why they were used in the first place.
Galvanized steel gets its name from the zinc coating (galvanization) applied to the outer surface of the pipes. The zinc acts as a barrier to slow corrosion. During the first half of the 20th century, galvanized steel pipes became the standard for fresh water delivery in homes. Builders liked galvanized steel because it was cheaper than copper and more durable than bare steel.
So if your house was built between the 1920s-1960s, chances are high it contains galvanized plumbing. How can you identify galvanized pipes? They have a dull gray appearance and a magnet will stick to them (because of the steel underneath).
Why Did Galvanized Pipes Ultimately Fail?
While galvanized pipes were an upgrade from lead or bare steel at the time, they still have a fatal flaw. Over decades of use, the zinc corrosion barrier wears away. That allows rust and scale to build up inside the pipes, restricting water flow.
Failing galvanized pipes are now a common headache in older homes. Let’s review the main problems they cause:
Problems with Galvanized Plumbing
Corrosion and Rust Buildup
The bits of zinc, iron, and minerals floating through galvanized pipes continuously erode the interior surface. As decades pass, corrosion and rust buildup accumulates to high levels. The EPA considers galvanized pipes safe for only 20-50 years.
Yet it’s common to find original galvanized pipes still in operation at 60-80 years old in older houses. Consider that nine out of ten homes still have lead service lines, which have an expected lifespan of 75 years. Outdated infrastructure lingers on out of sight, out of mind. But when galvanized pipes exceed their lifespan, the results aren’t pretty.
Health Risks – Lead and Heavy Metals
Flaking corrosion inside galvanized pipes can contaminate drinking water with lead, cadmium, and other toxic heavy metals.
This is especially dangerous for children. Low doses of lead build up in kid’s bodies over months and years, leading to developmental delays and brain damage without any obvious symptoms.
Even tiny amounts – like 3 micrograms per deciliter – cause lower IQ scores, attention disorders, growth stunting, and hearing loss. Higher lead levels severely impair mental functioning.
Consider getting your home’s water tested if the structure has galvanized plumbing.lab analysis can identify abnormal levels of lead and other contaminants leaching from the old pipes into the H20.
Low Water Pressure and Leaks
Over years of mineral buildup, galvanized pipes become narrower and narrower inside. This restricts water flow to taps, lowering home water pressure.
Are some taps or showers frustratingly slow in your prospective house? That suggests advanced interior corrosion and clogging. Expect lower pressure problems to worsen until a full repipe.
As corrosion advances, leaks also develop at joints in the pipe network. Small leaks behind walls or under sinks often go undetected for awhile, allowing mold colonies to take root and grow over time.
Rust Colored Water
Internal corrosion makes iron particles flake off the interior pipe walls, tinting water an unappetizing yellow, orange, or brown. Rust colored water usually happens first thing in the morning or after returning from a vacation.
That initial flush stirs up sediment that settled inside stagnant pipes. If you turn a faucet and rusty liquid sputters out, galvanized pipes likely have moderate to advanced corrosion.
Considerations: Should I Buy a House with Galvanized Plumbing? Rusty water also tastes metallic and foul, so expect to drink more bottled water or install a filtration system if you move into a house with corroding galvanized plumbing.
Structural and Water Damage
Leaks from wall pipes or burst joints will eventually happen in a degrading galvanized system. Pipe failures often strike without warning and release hundreds of gallons of water per hour.
If you’re not home to catch this right away, massive flooding and water damage can ruin flooring, cabinets, drywall, and personal property in an affected room. Professional drying services, mold remediation, replacements, and lost items add up fast.
One burst pipe incident often leads to more down the road. Have an emergency plan if you opt into buying a property with vintage galvanized plumbing. Consider installing water sensors / automatic shut off valves to help minimize catastrophes.
Lifespan and Condition Assessment
Galvanized steel pipes have an average lifespan around 50 years before requiring full replacement. But that remains a rough estimate that depends on factors like water chemistry and usage patterns. Let’s examine how to gauge the condition of galvanized plumbing when house shopping.
Expected Lifespan of Galvanized Pipes
As a rule of thumb, galvanized pipes serve adequately for 40-50 years before problems emerge. But in hard water areas, corrosion accelerates faster. And houses left vacant for extended periods experience more interior rust (from stagnant water).
On the other end, some well maintained galvanized systems limp on 10+ years past the expected 50 year mark before failing. Considering the variables at play, regard that half-century estimate as a general guideline rather than a definitive deadline.
Assessing Current Condition
If you’re house hunting, don’t rely on the build year alone to judge whether galvanized pipes need replacement. You need to inspect and test the plumbing to gauge its condition.
Here are four revealing checks to perform:
Age of Pipes
Try to determine the exact installation year. Request records if available. Galvanized pipes from the 1920-30s have vastly higher failure odds than those installed in the 1950-60s. If pipes date back past 70 years, expect to budget for a repipe soon.
Water Pressure
Check pressure and flow rate at several faucets. Turn on hot and cold handles fully at bathroom/kitchen sinks. Low pressure suggests advanced pipe corrosion and clogging. If pressure varies widely across different taps, that’s another red flag.
Signs of Rust
Inspect pipe joints and connectors in the basement for rust stains or drips. Rusty water on first flush also indicates moderate corrosion internally. Consider getting pipes scope checked if concerned.
Evidence of Previous Leaks
Scan walls and ceilings for signs of past leak damage – water stains, mold, patches, paint mismatched. Also look for pipe repairs that suggest systemic issues. If leaks already occurred, more likely in the future until full repipe.
Evaluating those factors will help clarify if the plumbing seems in decent shape or urgently needs replacing. Now let’s shift gears to galvanized plumbing considerations for home buyers specifically.
Home Buyer Considerations
Does buying an old home with original galvanized pipes automatically mean you’ll face issues down the road? Not necessarily in all cases – but buyer beware. Here are a few important legal and financial factors to weigh if house hunting.
Seller Disclosure Requirements
What disclosure duties apply to sellers regarding galvanized plumbing? Rules differ across states and localities. Some areas explicitly require indicating presence on property disclosures. Elsewhere, it falls into more general mandated categories like water damage history.
Regardless of strict legality, buyers should confirm via home inspectors whether any suspect, outdated plumbing lurks behind walls. And consider asking sellers directly as well during showings. Hidden galvanized pipes can delay closings if discovered late, so best to clarify status upfront.
Impact on Home Inspection
Budget for a professional inspection with any older home purchase. When evaluating homes with galvanized plumbing, inspectors test functionality and gauge lifespan remaining.
Expect galvanized pipes to receive a poor rating if original and 70+ years old. Even if still functioning adequately now, inspectors note them as an area needing replacement very soon. Know that virtually all will flag galvanized plumbing as an urgent buyer concern.
Effect on Home Value and Saleability
How do galvanized pipes impact property value and resale prospects? Definitely a negative, but not necessarily a deal breaker in all cases.
For buyers planning to occupy a home long term, negotiated discounts or seller credits can offset the cost of eventually repiping. However, homes needing major system replacements often sit longer on the market. Consider if quick future resale matters for your plans.
Also account for neighborhood impact. In hot markets, homes move fast and draw multiple offers regardless of flaws. But in slower areas, upgrade needs may deter buyers more. Remodel return on investments also depend partly on what nearby houses offer feature and amenity wise.
Estimated Repipe Costs
Okay, let’s get down to the nitty gritty – how much does it cost to replace galvanized pipes? Budget $4,500 – $15,000 depending on house size and complexity.
That mid-range covers the typical suburban home up to around 3,500 sq ft. Expect closer to $10k+ for larger luxury houses or tricky multi-story layouts.
Now that you know the financial scoop, is it worth replacing pipes proactively or better to wait?
Replace or Not Replace?
You moved forward to purchase a great house with 60 year old galvanized plumbing. It still delivers water fine according to inspection, albeit at slightly lower pressure. Should you pony up $8-10k soon to repipe the whole system? Or continue using the pipes until issues crop up?
If money allows, proactive replacement gives major peace of mind by eliminating worry about sudden leaks, rusty water, and other problems down the road. You gain modern PEX or copper pipes expected to last 50+ years.
However, if funds run tight or pipes tested in decent shape, monitoring conditions yearly may enable delaying the project. Just prepare mentally and financially for emergency spot repairs or whole home repipe when inevitably needed.
Weigh personal risk tolerance here. Do you prefer preempting headaches via upfront costs? Or would you rather wait and only spend if/when pipes begin failing? Everyone’s preferences and budgets differ.
Ideally talk through options with plumbers to decide the smartest timing for your situation. They can elaborate on replacement systems and costs if helpful. Speaking of, let’s overview…
Is Galvanized Plumbing a Factor When Selling a House for Cash?
When considering selling a house for cash benefits, galvanized plumbing can be a factor. Buyers often prefer updated plumbing systems, as galvanized pipes are prone to corrosion and can decrease water pressure. Upgrading to modern materials may increase the appeal and value of the property.
Alternatives to Galvanized Piping
When the time comes to replace worn galvanized plumbing, copper and PEX rank among the top modern pipe materials. Both deliver 20+ years of leak free performance after installation.
PEX ranks as the most popular choice nowadays for its low cost and flexibility. PEX pipes withstand freezing better than copper and allow bending around corners without joints.
Copper boasts tried and true longevity – 50 years or more before corrosion risks. But copper costs more upfront and makes a louder water flow noise than PEX. Discuss how local water chemistry could impact their relative durability.
Either way, upgrading old galvanized steel to PEX or copper pays dividends through enhanced water flow, reliability, and longevity. Just take care to hire qualified plumbers for replacement projects. They can reuse pipe routes in some cases to minimize demolition needs.
Conclusion
While buying a home with old galvanized steel pipes raises concerns, remember they served dependably for decades originally. dish out contaminants when disturbed after long stagnation. If maintained well, galvanized systems often exceed the 50 year estimated lifespan before failing.
As a buyer, thoroughly inspect and test plumbing to gauge current condition and remaining longevity. Also research what state laws say about galvanized disclosures. Consider hiring plumbers to scope interior walls if very concerned.
If pipes test in decent shape and funds run tight, monitoring and saving up for later replacement remains an option. Just brace for eventual issues down the road – have an emergency fund ready for repairs or repiping when needed.
With eyes wide open to pros and cons, buyers can still consider galvanized plumbing on a property case by case. Repiping costs appear more manageable when planned for. And expected hassles may merit purchasing a dream home otherwise.
Hopefully this overview gives clarity on evaluating galvanized pipes from inspection to replacement. Empower yourself to make a well informed decision about taking one on if your preferred property has vintage plumbing in place. Those characteristic dull gray pipes don’t necessarily spell doom on a promising home.