Galvanized pipes are definitely troublemakers, but sometimes it's not just rust flakes. Had a place once where mineral buildup inside the pipes was choking off flow—looked fine from outside, but inside was a mess. Ended up replacing sections with copper, solved it completely. Curious if anyone's tried partial replacements instead of redoing the whole system... seems like it could save some hassle and cost if the issue's localized.
Partial replacements can definitely be a viable option, especially if you're dealing with localized issues. I've seen it done successfully, but there are some caveats. If the galvanized pipes are older, even sections that seem fine now might not stay that way for long. The corrosion and mineral buildup you mentioned often spread unevenly, so you might end up chasing problems around your plumbing system over time.
One thing to watch out for is galvanic corrosion—if you're connecting copper directly to galvanized steel without proper dielectric fittings, you'll accelerate corrosion at the joints. Make sure whoever does the work uses dielectric unions or fittings designed specifically to prevent that issue.
In my experience, partial replacements can buy you some time and save money upfront, but it's usually more of a temporary fix than a permanent solution. Eventually, most galvanized systems will need a full overhaul. Still, if budget or timing is tight, replacing just the worst sections can be a practical stopgap measure.
I get your point about partial replacements being mostly temporary, but I wonder if that's always the case. A couple years ago, I had similar water pressure issues in my older house (built in the late 60s). The plumber recommended replacing just a few problematic sections of galvanized pipe, and honestly, it's held up surprisingly well since then. Maybe I've been lucky, but I haven't had to chase any new leaks or corrosion around yet.
Also, about galvanic corrosion—you're definitely right that dielectric fittings are important. But I've heard mixed opinions from plumbers on how effective they really are long-term. One plumber told me that even with dielectric unions, corrosion can still happen slowly over time because of moisture buildup around the fittings. He suggested using brass fittings as a transition between copper and galvanized pipes instead, claiming they're less prone to corrosion issues long-term. I'm not an expert myself, but it made sense when he explained it.
Another thing I'd consider is whether the water quality itself might be contributing to the uneven corrosion you're seeing. If your local water is particularly hard or acidic, even new pipes might degrade faster than expected. Have you thought about installing a whole-house water softener or filtration system? It could potentially slow down corrosion and mineral buildup significantly.
I guess my main point is that partial replacements don't always have to be just a temporary fix—depending on your situation and how carefully it's done, it could last longer than you'd expect. Of course, eventually you'll probably have to bite the bullet and replace everything anyway...but maybe not as soon as you think.
"I guess my main point is that partial replacements don't always have to be just a temporary fix—depending on your situation and how carefully it's done, it could last longer than you'd expect."
That's been my experience too. About five years back, I had similar water pressure headaches in my 70s-era home. Like you, I was hesitant about the cost of a full repipe, so I went with partial replacements on the worst sections. Honestly, it's been holding up pretty well so far. Fingers crossed it stays that way...
I do agree with your plumber about brass fittings. My plumber also recommended brass over dielectric unions, saying they're less likely to cause issues down the line. As for water quality, I installed a basic whole-house filter (nothing fancy or expensive), and I've noticed fewer mineral deposits since then. Might be worth looking into if you're concerned about corrosion.
Anyway, sounds like you're on the right track. Partial fixes can definitely buy you some time if done thoughtfully and carefully. Good luck!
I get where you're coming from, but I'd be cautious about relying too heavily on partial replacements. Sure, they can hold up longer than expected—like you said:
"Honestly, it's been holding up pretty well so far. Fingers crossed it stays that way..."
But in my experience, partial fixes can sometimes just shift the problem further down the line. Happened to me a couple years ago; fixed one section, and six months later another area started acting up. Just something to keep in mind before you commit to piecemeal repairs...
