Galvanized Piping in the Home

Hi Patricia, 

The connection from the street/meter to the home is often overlooked by many inspectors.  Even though they are not visible my personal standards is to always attempt to determine the composition of the primary supply line to the home.  I start simply with determining the age of the home.  Even if the interior of the home supply lines have been updated there is no assurance that the primary supply line to the home has been updated.  I make every effort to determine it by starting at the street and eventually attempting to determine where the supply line enters the home.  I also include narratives in my reports instructing my clients to do their due diligence by inquiring if the supply line was updated or keeping it on their radar for future consideration. 

CHRIS FALCONE - thank you for that valuable information. 

Hi Fred,

There is a long list of considerations.  The reality is, many choices are made because of economics.  Whether its the cost of the material and/or the labor associated with installing the material.  Then there are the "other considerations" as examples, costs associated with the entire project, like drywall, carpentry, fixture upgrades, etc.  If  homeowner chooses to update their home from galvanized plumbing to say a Polyethylene (aka PEX) there is going to be drywall and carpentry associated costs.  If they update/upgrade to copper those additional costs will be even higher because you will have to open up more walls, ceilings, and the like.  Updating supply lines through the home is invasive and depending on the build of the house (basement, crawlspace, slab) the costs can really add up.  A homeowner has to also consider the age of the house and what the composition of the supply lines that bring water into the home.  If the house is older with galvanized pipes chances are the line from the street to the home is also galvanized which should also be replaced and that will require a specialized dig and connection to the utility line.   I personally use or recommend copper or a Polyethylene variant depending on the scope of the project.  There is no one correct answer, it is a delicate balance between needs and costs.   

Hi Laura, Inspection are a must in my eyes.  I have even created a pricing plan to help those in markets that are so competitive the buyers are absurdly advised to waive inspection contingencies.  I have operated in LA, Bay Area, PNW, and now here on the 95/78 corridor of the NE and I have created a business model for clients to maintain competitiveness in these "waive inspection" markets but still get the home inspected.  It is pretty unique and no it is not "walk and talk" inspection which I feel are a disservice to the industry and my client.   Thanks for taking the time to circle back around and check out my blog!!  

Yes Nina, as new materials come online and are approved for use we all act as "beta" testers until the data starts being reported and the industry makes improvements.  As examples, PEX or Polyethylene is the go to supply line material these days but early on there were issues with the fittings and composition of piping.  That's why knowledge is key so that we can best educate our clients so that they can keep these things "on their radar". 

Hi Sam,

If they were replacing the entire house of galvanized plumbing I would be suspect of $2k.  You couldn't even replace the single line from the utility connection to the house for that price.  If your replacing the entire house worth of galvanized plumbing or the primary line supplying the house the lowest bid might not be the best path forward.  

Yes, these bygone era building materials are prevalent in states and communities with older homes.  Although they can appear in any market there is an abundance of them in areas where there are a high number of older homes.