How To Clean Out Old Galvanized Pipes

Unscrewing old corroded galvanized pipe is a job that calls for brawn and heavy wrenches.

How to clean out old galvanized pipes. It is inexpensive and a lot easier to use than copper. A chemical pipe cleaner is the only way to wash out the rust but it can also wear away at the weakened pipe. So you reach under the kitchen sink to grab some paper towels or some dish soap and everything is soaking wet.

Old houses were built with galvanized piping which was considered just fine for the times. However replacing only part of the galvanized pipe with copper pipe can cause more problems when the zinc iron and copper react with the minerals in the water. When the galvanized pipes begin to rust it really is the beginning of the end.

If you cannot open your drain with a suction cup there are other actions that you can do. Clean buildup from galvanized water pipes with water softeners but remember water softeners contain salt which corrodes galvanized piping. Cleaning with these products consisted of applying and removing the product to the galvanized surface in accordance with the manufacturers instructions rinsing with water and then drying.

Always use two wrenches on joints that are difficult to unscrew. On a long straight run of galvanized we once put a thin coiled plumbers snake on a 12 drill and ran it through the pipestopping every foot or so and turning on the water to wash out the debris. I have seen pipes with a 3 inch diameter only flowing about 20 due to 80 blockage especially those galvanized steel lines.

I am just a landlord who figured out a great way to keep my pipe clean and free of clogs. Replace all of the old pipe with new copper pipe. Be careful when unscrewing galvanized piping because the old threaded joints tend to rust through and can break.

Your best option would be to call at least 3 qualified plumbers to get bids on replacing this galvanized piping with PEX PVC as approved for use in your area or copper. The traditional method used most of the time to clean cast iron pipes is a drain snake with cable and blades. Start by pouring a pot of boiling water down the drain.