Had a similar experience with a 60s duplex—tried flushing with a pump and some CLR. It loosened up a ton of gunk, but then the kitchen faucet got totally blocked. Ended up replacing the worst runs with PEX anyway. Sometimes you’re just delaying the inevitable... especially with old galvanized.
- Once you start seeing heavy buildup or flow issues after flushing, that's usually a sign those pipes are on borrowed time.
- Galvanized just doesn't age well—I've seen it flake off inside and clog everything downstream.
- Chemical flushes are a short-term fix at best. Sometimes they break loose enough crud to make things worse, like you saw with the faucet.
- If you’re already opening up walls or have persistent low pressure, swapping to PEX is often more cost-effective in the long run.
- I’ve seen folks try to “baby” old lines, but honestly, once corrosion sets in, it’s a losing battle. Better to bite the bullet before you’re dealing with leaks or water quality issues.
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from about “biting the bullet,” but I’ve seen a few cases where folks managed to squeeze a few more years out of galvanized lines with targeted repairs instead of a full swap. Sometimes if the main issue is just at a couple of fittings or elbows, replacing those sections can buy some time, especially if budget’s tight. Not saying it’s a forever fix, but it’s not always an immediate lost cause, either.
That said,
—that part’s spot on. I’ve watched a flush clog up aerators and shower heads in minutes. Just seems like there’s a middle ground before going all-in on PEX, depending on how bad things really are.“Chemical flushes are a short-term fix at best. Sometimes they break loose enough crud to make things worse...”
I get the appeal of patching things up, especially when you’re staring down the cost of a full repipe. But in my experience, those “targeted repairs” on galvanized lines can be a bit of a gamble. Sure, swapping out a bad elbow or two might buy you some time, but it’s often just kicking the can down the road. Once corrosion sets in, it’s usually everywhere—even if you can’t see it yet. I’ve had tenants call about low pressure or rusty water, only to find the whole line was basically a ticking time bomb.
I’m not saying you have to rip everything out at the first sign of trouble, but I’d be careful about investing too much in piecemeal fixes. Sometimes you end up spending more on repeated repairs than you would’ve on a proper replacement. And yeah, chemical flushes are a nightmare—clogged up half the fixtures in one of my units after trying that route. If the budget’s tight, maybe prioritize the worst sections first, but keep an eye on the rest. Those old pipes have a way of surprising you at the worst possible moment...
Yeah, patching those old galvanized pipes is like playing whack-a-mole—fix one spot, and another pops up a month later. I tried the “just one more repair” approach for a couple years, and honestly, it turned into a weird hobby I never wanted. The water pressure would drop, or I’d get that lovely orange tint in the tub, and suddenly I’m crawling under the house again.
I get not wanting to shell out for a full repipe (my wallet still hasn’t forgiven me), but after the third or fourth leak, it was clear the pipes were basically Swiss cheese. If you’re seeing rust in the water or getting constant clogs, that’s usually the universe telling you it’s time. I did end up replacing the worst runs first, just to spread out the pain. Not fun, but at least I don’t have to keep a bucket under the kitchen sink anymore...
