Old Galvanized Pipes in Topeka Homes: Signs and Choices

How to spot it

Look at the pipes in the basement near the water heater or main shut-off. Galvanized pipe is dull gray and threaded at the joints. Scratch it with a key: if it's silver-gray and a magnet sticks, it's steel. Copper is reddish-brown, and plastic is white, blue or red.

What goes wrong

Galvanized pipe rusts from the inside. Over time the rust narrows the pipe, so water pressure drops, especially on upper floors. Rust can also color the water brown after it has been sitting, and the threaded joints are where leaks usually start.

Mixed materials

When one section of galvanized pipe fails, it's often replaced with copper or plastic. Joining copper directly to steel without the right fitting speeds up corrosion right at the joint, so repairs in old homes need care.

Spot repair or repipe

Fixing one leak at a time works for a while, but if the pressure is poor throughout the house and leaks are becoming regular, replacing the supply lines often costs less in the end. The plumber can look at the whole system and explain the options.

What a repipe involves

New supply lines, usually copper or flexible plastic, are run through walls and floors to each fixture. Most of the work is done through small openings, and the water is usually back on at the end of each day.

Next step

If you're seeing low pressure, rusty water or regular leaks, ask for a look at your supply pipes. See leak detection and repair.

More plumbing guides

• Sump Pump Check Before Topeka's Storm Season
• What to Do When a Pipe Bursts in a Kansas Cold Snap
• Basement Floor Drain Backing Up? What It Means
• Reading Your Water Heater Label: Age, Size and Fuel
• Hiring a Plumber in Topeka: Questions to Ask
• Reading Your Water Meter to Find Hidden Leaks