Galvanized drains installed prior to the mid 50’s are likely to be at the end of their life. These are fairly general guidelines that the inspector will use when he or she finds them in your dream house, to let you know that you should be prepared for replacement of the pipes----even if they seem to be draining OK at the time of inspection.
These pipes usually do not spontaneously start leaking. In fact, failure happens pretty much continuously over the life of the pipe, gradually deteriorating on the inside, until small pin-holes start to develop. These tiny leaks will seal themselves with rust until they corrode through again and then start to leak again. Eventually the leaks can’t seal themselves any longer and the pipe leaks all the time.
It is common to see these holes patched in a variety of ways from duct tape and tar to banding clamps. I have sometimes seen repairs that would cost more than replacement of the pipe----well except that the plumber would have to be paid for his time. So the homeowner looks at the leak, and will spend 40 bucks or 10 bucks and figure out a way to beat a little more life out of the pipes.
These pipes drained just fine at the time of inspection-----and were not even leaking----and they are certainly WAY past the end of their expected life. The inspector would be remiss to not recommend replacement NOW.
For arguments sake, let’s just say you are a “Pipe-Beater,” and you really need to get a little more life out of the drain before you call in the plumber----and then have to fork over the big bucks. The stainless steel no-hub couplings that one can see in the lower picture cost about $4.00 each, of which there are four----for a total of $16.00. To replace that same section of damaged pipe with new plastic pipe would have required about $1.00 worth of pipe and two connectors for a total of $9.00----assuming you didn’t have to buy a hack-saw.
Those of you that read my blog religiously will recognize the Asbestos wrapped pipes below the leak----the subject of yesterdays post.
Will the plumber be willing to work around the stuff? Good question.
Charles Buell
Click on the Rose 
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Click on the Rose to check out: AHA!---A Forum of Landmark Proportions---your Group
PS, for those of you that are new to my blog (or for some other "unexplained" reason have never noticed)all pictures and smiley-face inserts (emoticons) (when I use them) have messages that show up when you point at them with your cursor.
My WORDLESS WEDNESDAY pictures and some selected POEMS & STORIES.
I once had a home for sale that required the P-Trap be replaced under the Utility Sink in the basement. The Seller agreed to do that and several other repairs.
He decided to give the P-Trap replacement ( a simple screw on and off task for plastic pipe ) to his Old School Father while he him self would concentrate on the list of other cosmetic repairs.
At the end of the day as he checked back through his list making the basement his last stop. He let out a big laugh as he bent over to see that his father had replaced the aging leaking P-Trap with a brand new Automobile Radiator Hose with just that special Bend.
That is nasty looking! I recently had to replace a trap that was rotten out and connected to a galvanized drain. The thing just disintegrated! What a mess!!
Herb---too funny:)
Brent---I usually recommend "pre-emptive strikes" on chrome traps----they just never last as long as plastic. They are a waste of money in my opinion.
Charles, I can always count on you to be informative and humurous at the same time. Thanks.
Yes Ian, I find that people are always laughing at me:)
A proper plumbing repair, as you have already pointed out, is fairly inexpensive. My question is "How would one legally dispose of the asbestos."
Charles, those pipes are definitely nasty looking, but a good scraping and touching up they will be ready to go for another couple of years, don't you say. That what give those old houses that down to earth good taste to drinking water.
~ Life is Good
Charles, I am enjoying reading your blogs, thanks for all the great info. You're a true professional!
Join my new AR group and post your blog at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice
Regina P. Brown
Charles, I am laughing and thinking that you can take the most mundane subject and make it informayive and even funny! Thanks!
Great photos Charles. Wouldn't the plumber have a great time snaking that drain? I've seen, on more than one occasion, the plumber walk into the basement and there is the snake flopping around in the air after exiting the side of the pipe.
Mr Charles,
Just the title of this is so nostalgic to me. My great, great grandmother, Thimble-berry Wallenda, had a bit part on that show as the cleaning lady/housekeeper. I had to get out the photo to show you.
Your friend Nutsy
Suesan, in Washington State we have two options: hire a professional asbestos abatement company, or homeowners can get a removal permit to do it themselves (comes complete with instructions of what personal protection to take and how to prevent it from becoming airborne----and then where it can be taken to).
Roy, maybe some of that new "heavy duty" Rustoleum?
Regina, thanks----I will check out the group.
Russell, thanks-----I do the same thing with my hair every morning:)
Jack, it does take "past its expected life" to a whole new level.
Nutsy---your distant cousin was HOT!
Nutsy - your distant cousin seems to have a thing for Grannie...
Charles - I was installed in the mid 50's and I find that I can still seal leaks when they spring up. You're telling me I'm going to need to start replacing stuff, and the cheapest way is with plastic?
Oh, I'm no pipe beater. Other stuff maybe, eggs, cake batter, rice pancake batter, you know...
Charles, for such a neat guy you sure present some ugly things! Nasty pipes those are.....
Nasty - Nasty Pipes - I say get a plumber. Quick
I am afraid so Jay----better start thinking "plastic."
Barbara, when you can't suck them in with sex----grossness sometimes works:)
Carl & Ceil----yes, definitely needs a plumber.
Mr. Charles! Is yu makin' fun of my werkmenship? Ah am here to tells yu that ah werked hod to get themere pipes to keep from drippin...
Your property maintenance professional in the Nashville, TN area ~ Bubba
Mr Charles,
You are correct, but that was my grandma...so pardon your lustful thoughts.
Nutsy
Bubba, I think it is time for you to re-think your chosen "profession"
Nutsy what the heck are you talking about
Charles, We did better in an emergency on our submarine while on the Navy. We didn't have the time either...
Paul, submarines are DEFINITELY a good place to do a better job:)
Mr Charles,
Happy President's Day tomorrow. No post yet today?
Nutsy
Nutsy, some of us have to work----do you know what I mean?
"Nutsy, some of us have to work----do you know what I mean?"
Maybe, probably not. Can you clarify please? What are you doing, counting your nuts again? I do that often.
Nutsy
Just Clampett Nutsy!
I must admit that I've never seen a galvanized sewage pipe either in my home inspections or in all my property renovations. Been through a lot of cast iron, though, as well as galvanized and lead water pipes.
Charles, there are a whole lot of clamps on those pipes, you'd think someone would bite the bullet and get it repaired the correct way. Thanks for sharing the information
Debbie, they used a whole bunch of clamps and needed to use a whole bunch more----yes, they should have just replaced the pipe.
Someone who has never seen a galvanized drain pipe. Huh, around here, we see them all the time. Very common in homes that are not all that old, even those from the 60's.
Hi Charles,
I have seen MANY repairs like the pictures you posted, but I have to admit, you certainly have taken the cake with more repair couplings in a short distance than I have ever seen in the last 20 years-;).....kind of makes me scratch my head sometimes seeing repairs like these in old home, but some folks as you well know, will do what ever it takes to just make it work (for a little while longer:)
Inspecting older homes is definitely not just a job, it's generally an adventure..!!!
Dale Duffy
Inspect Arizona Companies, Inc.
Phoenix Home Inspectors, Inc.
Steve, certainly until the mid 50's galvanized pipe was common in most parts of the country.
Dale, and it still looks like they could have used a few more:)
Charles: You and Nutsy should take your act to morning radio or one of those prime time comedy shows. Very funny. Thanks.
Hey Nutsy isn't funny---he is food:)
James I couldn't figure out why they weren't actively leaking at the time of inspection---I have seen worse----but then there is the raw effluent from the holes:)
WOW Charles, I never really knew much about galvanized pipes... this was very interesting to me. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.
Cheryl, you are welcome----it would be interesting to know if it was used in your area.