How does this water supply pipe look?

[gregk24]

This is the supply line to the front exterior faucet on our 1959 home. I replaced the faucet today as the handle of the old faucet (probably original) was quite corroded and could probably have fallen off at any time during use. Being that the supply pipe is also most likely original I was worried it would break while trying to remove the faucet, thankfully I was able to get it off without too much fuss.

Once the faucet was off I figured I would inspect the pipe. I am assuming this is galvanized steel, known for corroding from the inside and cutting off water supply. It doesn't look to bad to me, but of course I am no plumber. I thought about spraying down the exposed exterior with some sort of oil to help slow down corrosion from being exposed to the elements, if anything I don't think it would hurt. I could be wrong, again I am no plumber.

What do you all think?

 

[Papa Bear]

Looks great (and I'm a licensed plumber)

 

[Chris142]

Looks better than mine of the same vintage. Mine are about 75% closed up.

 

[mk378]

They mostly rust from the inside. Looks like plenty of life left in that one though.

 

[spackard]

Whenever you do replace it, try holding it up to the sunlight.
With mine, in a 2 foot length it wouldn't pass any light at all. Complete black, to a noon sun.

Since that one's still installed, try taking a length of rebar and sticking it in the pipe. It should easily slide in all the way.

 

[spasm3]

I wonder if someone replaced it the pipe before you. It looks really good for 1959. I had some early 1930 pipes in a previous home that looked terrible compared to that.

 

[gregk24]

Originally Posted by spasm3
I wonder if someone replaced it the pipe before you. It looks really good for 1959. I have some early 1930 pipes in a previous home that looked terrible compared to that.


Maybe so, believe it or not we are only the second owners of this house. We know the previous owners, and they said that some piping was replaced, but that was the hot water line to the original bathroom. Some of the piping is copper, some is galvanized steel.

 

[gregk24]

Originally Posted by Papa Bear
Looks great (and I'm a licensed plumber)


Thank you for the feedback! Of course there is no way to know for sure, but based on this picture how many more serviceable years would a pipe like this typically last?

 

[JeffKeryk]

Galvanized from 1959? Wow!
I doubt that is original...

 

[Linctex]

You must have perfect water pH with no minerals to get pipe looking that good!

 

[Papa Bear]

Originally Posted by gregk24
Originally Posted by Papa Bear
Looks great (and I'm a licensed plumber)


Thank you for the feedback! Of course there is no way to know for sure, but based on this picture how many more serviceable years would a pipe like this typically last?



Looks about half life left to me .....
It would probably be best if the wife & I came to stay with you over the winter in case it began to leak - I could fix it for you.

 

[gregk24]

Originally Posted by Papa Bear
Originally Posted by gregk24
Originally Posted by Papa Bear
Looks great (and I'm a licensed plumber)


Thank you for the feedback! Of course there is no way to know for sure, but based on this picture how many more serviceable years would a pipe like this typically last?



Looks about half life left to me .....
It would probably be best if the wife & I came to stay with you over the winter in case it began to leak - I could fix it for you.

Haha. I do love Florida, however I do wish we had cold winters. I get excited if we hit the teens! That only happens every couple of years.

 

[SeaJay]

Is replacing it an option without major surgery on the stone work? If not, then it is plenty good until some day in the hopefully distant future when it isn't.

 

[PSS]

I have galvanized pipe from 1955 with Lake Michigan water. The cold water pipes are usually fine on the inside. The hot water pipes will often have corrosion on the inside, causing restrictions. The temp difference a huge difference.

I replaced my hat water galvanized pipes from the water heater but left all the cold.