If your Tampa home was built before the 1960s, it may still have galvanized steel plumbing. Decades ago these pipes were the standard, however time has proven that galvanized pipes come with serious risks — not just for your home’s infrastructure, but for your health and wallet too. And this is where a quality plumber with experience comes in handy; to re-pipe your home or business right away.
Below, we’ll break down exactly why keeping old galvanized pipes is a serious risk you shouldn’t take, show you the shocking state of these pipes from real examples, and explain how our team of Tampa plumbers can protect your home with expert re-piping services.
1. WHAT ARE GALVANIZED PIPES?
Galvanized pipes are steel pipes that have been coated with a protective layer of zinc to help prevent rust and corrosion. Which were commonly installed in homes up until the 1960s. However, over time the zinc erodes, leaving the steel beneath vulnerable to corrosion and mineral buildup.
2. THE RISKS OF KEEPING OLD GALVANIZED PIPES
🚱 Severely Restricted Water Flow
As galvanized pipes age, minerals and rust build up inside. For example, just take a look at the images below of a cut-away galvanized pipe from a recent plumbing inspection.
Over time, the diameter of the pipe becomes increasingly clogged with corrosion. Thus, water flow can be dramatically reduced. This leads to low water pressure, longer wait times for hot water, and poor appliance performance. And that may be the least of your worries; contaminants, leaks, and severe damage are also likely consequences of allowing this issue to remain unchecked.
Therefore, If your home or business has plumbing that looks like the images displayed, it needs to be re-piped as soon as possible!
3. Pipe Leaks & Costly Water Damage
Corrosion weakens the structural integrity of your galvanized pipes. Tiny fractures may develop as the pipe continues to corrode. As a result, leaks can go unnoticed until they cause substantial water damage behind your walls or under your foundation. By the time you see staining or feel dampness on your walls, the necessary repairs can become extensive and expensive.
4. Potential Health Hazards
Old galvanized pipes can leach rust and even lead into your water supply. And this is a serious concern, especially for families with young children or anyone with compromised health. Discoloration, metallic taste, or brown water are common signs your water may be picking up contaminants from inside your pipes. If you notice any of these signs, give us a call immediately and we will re-pipe your home to keep your loved ones safe and healthy.
5. 💸 Increased Long-Term Costs
Putting off replacement might seem like a money saver now, but continual repairs, reduced water efficiency, and the possibility of catastrophic leaks only add up with increasing cost. Knowing this, replacing your galvanized piping is a smart investment that protects both your property value and your health.
6. How EVERYDAYPLUMBER.com Can Help
At EVERYDAYPLUMBER.com, we specialize in replacing old galvanized pipes with modern, durable piping systems like PEX or copper. Here’s how we make it easy and stress-free:
✅ Comprehensive Inspection
We use advanced diagnostic tools to assess the current state of your pipes and provide clear options and pricing on the spot!
✅ Expert Re-Piping Services
Our licensed, experienced plumbers will carefully replace outdated pipes with minimal disruption to your home.
✅ Clean, Respectful Work
We treat your home like our own, ensuring we leave everything clean and tidy when the job is done.
✅ Transparent Pricing & Warranties
No surprises. You’ll know exactly what to expect, and we stand behind our work with solid guarantees.
7. How Much Could You Save by Re-Piping Your Home?
Many homeowners hesitate to invest in a whole-home re-pipe because of the upfront cost. But the truth is, re-piping often pays for itself over time — and then some.
🔧 Fewer Repairs & Service Calls
Old galvanized pipes are notorious for leaks and clogs. Resulting emergency pipe repairs could run anywhere from $200 to $1,000 or more, depending on the damage. And with multiple leaks a year? That adds up quickly.
💦 Lower Water Bills
Corroded pipes often develop hidden leaks that waste water around the clock. According to the EPA, the average household leak can waste nearly 10,000 gallons per year — spiking your water bill by 10-20% or more.
🛠️ Avoiding Major Water Damage
A single burst pipe can cause thousands of dollars in structural repairs, flooring replacements, and mold remediation. Home insurance often won’t cover damage from neglect, leaving you on the hook.
🏠 Protecting Your Home Value
Outdated plumbing can drop your home’s value or scare off buyers during inspection. Having a modern, reliable plumbing system is a selling point that can preserve — or even increase — your home’s market value.
8. Professional Inspections to diagnose for you
Wondering if your home still has galvanized pipes? Many homeowners aren’t sure — especially if their house is older and the plumbing history is a mystery. So we offer a professional plumbing inspection that’s just right for you.
🛠️ What We Look For
At EVERYDAYPLUMBER.com, our experienced plumbers perform thorough inspections to check for:
✅ Visible galvanized pipe connections under sinks, in basements, or crawl spaces.
✅ Discoloration or rust on exposed pipes, which often signals interior corrosion.
✅ Water pressure issues or sediment buildup in faucet aerators, which can be signs of internal pipe scale.
✅ Discolored water when turning on taps after periods of disuse — another red flag for deteriorating galvanized lines.
🚨 Advanced Diagnostic Tools
For a deeper look, we can use modern tools like video pipe inspection cameras that check pipes to spot corrosion, mineral buildup, and other hidden problems without tearing into your walls.
Ready to repipe quickly before disaster strikes?
Don’t let an outdated pipe destroy your beautiful home or business! Let us do the heavy lifting and re-pipe your building with speed and quality.
Call today at 813-872-0200 for a smart plumbing audit, or request service on line at EVERYDAYPLUMBER.com.
Our Tampa Bay experts will design the perfect water-saving package for your home or business. So you can conserve water and money with confidence.
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