What Is Galvanized Pipe | What Is Galvanized Pipe Used For | How to Measure Galvanized Pipe

Friends, in this chapter, we will discuss what galvanized pipe is. How long is its life, how suitable galvanized steel pipe is for water, whether a black steel pipe is used for water or not, and how to measure it, etc.? So let’s move on.

If your house was built before 1960, your plumbing pipes might be made of galvanized steel or iron. Despite the advantages of using galvanized plumbing pipes, there are many plumbing problems associated with these types of pipes.

Galvanized plumbing was standard in home construction for decades, but over time many homeowners are now choosing alternatives to these pipes, such as copper or plastic pipes.

In this chapter, we will discuss what galvanized pipes are, where they are used as they are really dangerous to health, the advantages, and disadvantages of these pipes, etc.

What Is Galvanized Pipe?

Galvanized pipe is made by coating steel or iron pipes with a protective layer of zinc, which helps prevent corrosion. This pipe is a type of metal pipe.

Before World War II, lead pipes were used for drinking water in plumbing systems, but it was later realized that lead pipes were a huge threat to health, which required some other new material to replace lead pipes. Iron and steel are prone to corrosion over time, although they were perfectly good options.

They were coated with zinc to protect against corrosion, and those pipes began to be used in plumbing pipes instead of lead.

Galvanized steel pipes were a popular choice for indoor plumbing in many homes built before the 1960s. These pipes are nearing the end of their life cycle for many homeowners, as their lifespan is around 20 to 80 years.

Since the mid-1940s, copper and plastic piping have become the preferred material, although industrial projects and steel reinforcement are needed, whereas galvanized pipes are still preferred for outdoor buildings.

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Galvanized Pipe Lifespan

Galvanized pipes can last for 60-70 years; pipes with poor quality pipes or with poor galvanizing techniques can fail in 30-40 years. However, in areas where there is heavy water flow, your pipes are more likely to fail quickly.

The hard thing about galvanized pipes is that they corrode on the inside but look beautiful on the outside. Corrosion accumulates on the inside of the pipe, which restricts the flow of water over time and lowers the water pressure in your home and can cause leaks.

Corrosion can also occur on the joints, which can lead to leaks. When that leak occurs behind your walls or under your floor, you won’t be able to find it until your home is already extensively damaged.

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Galvanized Water Pipe

Galvanized pipes often contain a mixture of impurities such as lead or other heavy metals in the zinc layer. As galvanized pipes age, the zinc coating wears out, and the pipes corrode. Lead can form when pipes corrode.

Lead is a dangerous toxin that can enter your body through water pipes and harm your health. Galvanized water can harm health if not replaced with updated, safe pipes.

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What Does Galvanized Pipe Look Like?

Galvanized pipes installed for the first time look just like nickel in color. But as it ages, a galvanized pipe may appear dull, lighter, or darker depending on its environment.

What Is Galvanized Pipe Used For?

Galvanized pipes have long been used in water supply lines in homes and businesses. It is also used in sewer plumbing.

Galvanized pipes have many other uses besides water and sewer lines, such as fences, railings, and farm irrigation systems. It is reserved as the best material for large construction projects.

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Black Steel Pipe for Water

Black steel pipes transport water and natural gas from their sources to homes and businesses. A black pipe has strong resistance to heat, so it is also used for fire sprinkler systems.

You can also find black pipes in heat exchangers where hot and cold water is transported. These pipes are also potentially used in drain lines and heating pipes. Black steel pipes corrode easily, making them not suitable for carrying drinking water.

Must Read : What is Cast Iron Pipe | How to Repair Cast Iron Pipe | Cast Iron Pipe Replacement Cost

How to Measure Galvanized Pipe

If the end of the galvanized pipe is exposed, you can measure the inside diameter directly. The most accurate way to do this is to use a caliper. Most calipers have jaws that fit outside the pipe and sharp tongs that fit inside.

Insert the tongs into the pipe, open the caliper until the tongs touch the side walls, and note the reading. Suppose the reading is not in half-inch coefficients. Round it down to the nearest coefficient. For example, if you measure 9/16 inches, the nominal size is 1/2 inch.

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How to Measure Galvanized Pipe Diameter Without Caliper?

If you don’t have a caliper,

If you have sewing tape, wrap it around the pipe and note the measurements at the point where the end of the tape touches the end. That is the circumference of the pipe. If you only have a string, wrap it around the pipe, make a mark on the string where the end touches and measure the distance from the end of the string to that mark.

Once you have a circumference, you calculate the outside diameter by dividing that number by π (3.1415). You can then see the nominal pipe size on the chart. You probably won’t even need to do such a simple calculation because many charts directly correlate the size of a little pipe with pipe diameter.

For measure, galvanized pipe size chart is as below:

Galvanized Pipe Size Chart

Galvanized Pipe Size Chart In MM :

Galvanized pipe size chart in mm is as below:

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Advantages of Galvanized Pipe

1. Galvanizing coatings cost less than the protective coatings specified for steel, which makes these pipes cheaper than steel pipes.
2. The lifespan of galvanized pipes is usually 60-70 years and requires less maintenance.
3. The zinc coating of galvanized pipes resists corrosion and rust.
4. The inspection process for galvanized pipes is simple and straightforward. Galvanized coatings can be checked by eye, and their thickness can be checked by simple, non-destructive methods.

Disadvantages of Galvanized Pipe

1. The zinc coating resists corrosion, but over time this coating crumbles, and the pipe begins to rust from the inside, which can eventually lead to leaks or pipe breakage.
2. Galvanized pipes often contain a mixture of impurities such as lead or other heavy metals in the zinc layer. When pipes feel corroded, lead and other impurities can enter your body through the water pipe and harm your health.
3. Galvanized pipes are very heavy, making them difficult to install or repair.
4. Internal corrosion causes galvanized pipes to fill up over time, lowering the water pressure.

Must Read : How to Install Steel Pipe | How to Repair Steel Pipe | Replace a Steel Water Pipe

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