Galvanized steel water pipes, testing water flow on old houses

Are you aware of the problems with the galvanized steel pipes in most of the old houses? Well, while buying an old house it’s important to consider the piping material used. Galvanized steel water pipes corrode so easily due to the reaction of the steel with the flowing water. This leads to leakage especially at the joints. The sediments build up with the pipes lessen the size of the diameter gradually, which may finally cause blockage hence hindering water flow eventually.

Galvanized piping may however offer the best water flow if they are well used. The water supply pipes in the house should therefore be tested and checked thoroughly and occasionally while inspecting the home. Much attention is required in case of past leaks evident.

Galvanized water supply

Water supply materials are made of different materials. These include; copper, lead, plastic and the galvanized supply pipes. The copper and the plastic piping are the most preferred to the lead and galvanized steel.  It is easy to identify the water supply piping material used to bring water from the streets to your house in order to avert problems associated with the piping material. All you need to do is to take a look at the water piping adjacent to the first shutoff valve located right before the water meter. Galvanized supply pipe mostly have a threaded fitting.

Galvanized water distribution pipes

Most of the homes have galvanized water supply. Therefore, a major problem involves taking a shower and doing laundry simultaneously in the same house. To identify different piping materials used in water supply. There are different markings according to the Truth –In-Sale of Housing Evaluation report. For the copper piping, the item is marked as “m”. Other water supply piping such as the lead, plastic, and the galvanized steel is rated as “C”.

Testing galvanized pipes water flow

For houses whose water supply is thoroughly tested and checked, galvanized pipes can be in acceptable condition with acceptable water flow. The city Truth-In-Sale of Housing Evaluator Guidelines test provides basis that one can use to access whether water flow is acceptable. To carry out the test, run both cold and hot water into laundry sink faucet.  Run the upstairs shower or any other highest plumbing fixture. If you realize there no flow of water from the shower or the flow is not sufficient for showering, then there is a big problem on water supply piping.

Moreover, no flow on the highest fixtures may also be an indication of old galvanized water supply pipes that need to be replaced. Other reasons could be partial closure of the main shutoff valve. Or even restriction of water flow in the entire house by a water softener.