Honestly, I get the urge to rip everything out just for peace of mind, but unless you’re seeing real signs—like pinhole leaks, low pressure, or actual rust in the water—it’s probably not worth the headache or cost. I’ve had places where the pipes were “aging” for a decade and still chugging along. That said, if you’ve got old galvanized steel, keep an eye out for sudden pressure drops or weird noises... those can be early warnings. Proactive is good, but tearing into walls just because of an inspector’s cautious wording can open a whole can of worms (and expenses) you might not need.
- Had a similar debate last year—my place has 60s copper and a few runs of old galvanized.
- Did a pressure test, checked for leaks, and scoped the worst-looking spots.
- Only replaced the one section that was actually corroded.
- Saved a ton versus a full re-pipe, and honestly, no regrets so far.
- Unless you’re seeing actual issues, I’d monitor and budget for eventual fixes instead of tearing everything out at once.
I get wanting to avoid a huge bill, but I’m always a little nervous about leaving old galvanized in place. Had a buddy who did the “replace as needed” thing, and then a hidden section burst behind his wall—total mess. Sometimes those pipes look fine on the outside but are rusted out inside. I’d at least keep a close eye on water pressure and any weird discoloration. Maybe I’m just paranoid, but water damage is no joke...
I hear you on the water damage paranoia—been there, stressed about that. I’m all about stretching a dollar, but with old galvanized, I do a yearly check: look for rust at joints, test water pressure, and peek at any exposed pipe. If you start seeing brown water or pressure drops, that’s my cue to budget for a section swap. It’s not glamorous, but it beats ripping out soggy drywall later...
Title: When is it time to swap out old pipes?
If you start seeing brown water or pressure drops, that’s my cue to budget for a section swap. It’s not glamorous, but it beats ripping out soggy drywall later...
Totally get where you’re coming from—my place still has some original galvanized lines from the 60s. Here’s what I’ve learned the hard way:
- Had a weird metallic taste in the tap water last summer. Ignored it at first, figured it was just city work. Nope—turned out to be rust from inside the pipes.
- Water pressure dropped in the upstairs shower, but only when running hot. That was a red flag for me—ended up being a clog from flaking pipe interior.
- Did a patch job on one section, but honestly, after that hassle, I started budgeting for a full swap over the next couple years.
I used to think “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” but with pipes, waiting too long can mean way bigger headaches (and bills) down the line. Testing and checking is smart, but sometimes those old pipes just gotta go before they surprise you...
