In the 1940s, galvanized pipes became the standard for plumbing lines in Toronto. They were a safer and more cost-effective alternative to lead pipes, which dominated the Toronto plumbing scene at the time. It wasn’t until the 1960s that the dangers of galvanized pipes became apparent.
If your house was built before the late 1960s, it might be fitted with galvanized steel plumbing systems. It’s time to upgrade to safer, more durable, and reliable modern plumbing materials.
Let’s discuss why you should get rid of old galvanized pipes, the signs that your plumbing is due for an upgrade, and how to go about replacing ageing metal pipes.
The Problem with Galvanized Steel Pipes in Plumbing
Galvanized pipes are steel pipes coated with a thin layer of zinc. The zinc creates a physical barrier against corrosion. It also provides sacrificial protection by oxidizing and corroding long before the steel underneath. To be fair, galvanization does work, but only for the first few years the pipe is in use.
With time, the zinc coating dissolves away, exposing the vulnerable steel to corrosion elements. The pipe corrodes from the inside, causing rust buildup while releasing dangerous toxins (including lead) into the water supply. Long-term exposure to these toxins can cause serious health problems, especially in pregnant women and children.
The city of Toronto strongly recommends replacing galvanized pipes in domestic water supply to reduce lead poisoning. Through the Priority Lead Water Service Replacement Program, the city replaces its own portion of lead or galvanized pipes.
Additionally, the corrosion and rust wreak havoc on the entire plumbing system, resulting in pipe leaks, clogs, and bursts.
Do I Have Old Galvanized Pipes in My Plumbing?
Since galvanized pipes corrode from the inside, it can be difficult to notice the problem. A pipe might appear sparkling new from the outside, while the inner walls are practically rotting.
However, these telltale signs may indicate that you have ageing galvanized pipes in your plumbing due for prompt replacement.
Discoloured Water
The exposed iron in steel pipes combines with oxygen and minerals in the water to form soluble compounds. These compounds and rust get into the water, staining it brown. If the water coming out of your faucet has a rusty brown colour, it could be due to badly corroded pipes. The water may even contain sediments or have a sharp metallic odour.
Hidden Leaks
Once the corrosion eats through to the outside of the pipe, water eventually leaks. Most of these leaks are hard to pinpoint because they usually happen around joints and bends. As a result, you end up with random damp spots on the walls and floors.
Low Water Pressure
Rust buildup in old galvanized pipes can cause clogs, restricting the smooth flow of water. This may explain low or fluctuating water pressure at an outlet. In some cases, rust clogs can cause the already fragile pipes to burst.
Visible Corrosion
In very old pipes, years of intense corrosion can become visible from the outside. You’ll normally see signs of corrosion around joints where pipes are threaded or soldered.
Upgrade Your Pipes with a Top Toronto Plumber
If you have old galvanized plumbing, it’s about time you upgraded to PEX, copper, or PVC piping. Even if you’ve not noticed any reliability issues in your galvanized plumbing, it’s only a matter of time before the pipes’ age starts to show.
Replacing old galvanized pipes in your Toronto home might sound like quite an undertaking, but it’s a necessary step to avoid serious plumbing issues and protect your family from health risks. Plus, when done by a professional Toronto plumber, you don’t have to worry about a thing.
Mister Plumber is your trusted expert plumber for lead and galvanized pipe replacement in Toronto. We’ve proudly served residents of the Greater Toronto Area with professional, high-quality plumbing installations, inspections, maintenance, repairs, and upgrades for over 20 years. And we’ll gladly help you swap old, problematic galvanized pipes for clean, modern plumbing.
Call us today at 416-939-1530 or request a free quote for piping replacement.
