What Are the Signs of Galvanized Pipe Problems in Seattle Homes

Galvanized steel water supply pipes were the standard in Seattle residential construction from around 1900 through the mid-1960s, and they are still present in a substantial portion of Ballard's housing stock. These pipes corrode from the inside over time, and the signs of galvanized pipe deterioration are recognizable once you know what to look for. Salish Plumbing Co identifies and addresses galvanized pipe issues throughout Ballard and North Seattle, and the company's crew has seen every stage of this deterioration process in homes across the area.The earliest sign of galvanized pipe trouble is usually a gradual decline in water pressure at fixtures, particularly in upstairs bathrooms and at the kitchen faucet. As the interior of the pipe corrodes, the bore narrows and restricts flow. At the same time, the water itself may take on a rusty or brown tint, especially first thing in the morning when water has been sitting in the pipes overnight. This discoloration is iron oxide from the corroding pipe walls and is a clear indicator that the pipe interior has deteriorated significantly.

As galvanized pipe deterioration progresses, pinhole leaks begin to develop at the weakest points, usually at joints and fittings where the zinc coating wore away first. These leaks may be invisible inside https://salishplumbingco.com/about/ walls for some time before they produce visible water damage on ceilings or floors below the pipe run. At this stage, repiping the entire supply system is the appropriate response rather than making spot repairs, because additional failures are almost certain to follow.Salish Plumbing Co | Shoreline, WA | (206) 867-0624Salish Plumbing Co provides honest assessments of galvanized pipe condition in Ballard homes and realistic quotes for repiping projects when the time has come. The company does not recommend repiping unless the diagnostics clearly support it.

Call (206) 867-0624 for a galvanized pipe assessment in your Ballard or North Seattle home.

Salish Plumbing Co | Shoreline, WA | (206) 867-0624