Quick Handyman Question, need answer quick

Ask them if they can drink their water. If they have copper pipes, chances are they cannot. I lived in a home for 15 years that had copper pipes and before I realized how dangerous high doses of copper is to your health, I would drink it but only after running it for a few minutes. If I didn't run the water first, I would get deathly sick from one sip. Other than that, they could look under the house and if it's copper, it will be a copper color.

Hope this helps some.

To find out if the plumbing is galvanized or copper plumbing, have them look under the sinks, follow the plumbing lines thru the entire house if possible.Look at the hot water heater for another juncture.
Is there a basement or is it crawspace?
Some houses could and do have both kinds of pipe. The copper pipes are 1/4 inch and more flexible.The coloring is simular to the color of a penny and sometimes turns green, too. Galvanized pipe is usually 1/2 inch in diameter on the inside of houses and may build to larger diameter pipe as it approaches the water source. It is silver in color much like a galvanized bucket. Hope this helps!

Galvanized pipe reminds me of the pipes that you use to create chain link fencing.

It should be a gray / silver metal pipe and the fittings on the ends should be threaded or screwed on.

Sometimes, the pipes under the sink are replaced with PVC piping and you can't tell unless you go under the house, but kathy is right. If you look under the sink, they might be there.

Appreciate it very much! I wasn't sure where they could actually see the pipe!

I thought galvanized piping was the bad piping to have as it corrodes and eventually starts leaking? Copper is the norm here except in older homes. I did not know this about copper plumbing! Thanks Shirley!

I am potentially locking up a property tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Copper used to be used a lot in SC, but gradually everyone started replacing it with PVC. Maybe they got sick too.

Good luck on your property tomorrow!!!!

That's what I think you should do, no mater what type of piping you have. There are some cities where the water is just bad to drink from the tap, that you need a filter. But check from water heater and that's what the piping will be. The other comments are right, though.

I worked at a home improvement store for 14+ years and it's been a couple of years since then. I've visited with some of the workers in the plumbing department and have looked at some of the store merchandise. Here's some info that I remember off the top of my head. Hopefully it's all accurate.

Cast Iron - usually found in old houses. Bulky looking, heavy, and can get brittle with age.

Galvanized Steel - I think this came after the cast iron. Sometimes the fittings can be threaded on (screwed on) or if there's a cut in a run of pipe, you have to bring out the blow torch and solder the fitting on. It's steel, so it may rust over time.

Rigid Copper pipe - fittings can be soldered on or compression fittings (pressure fit) may be used. This pipe should be easier to bend than the Galvanised pipe. comes in sticks. This is metal as well and can rust (see Statue of Liberty).

Soft copper pipe - easier to bend than the rigid. What I've seen, it comes in a roll so it's easier to transport if you don't have something to haul 10' sticks in. I think that compression fittings are used with this. (I didn't see this sell, really).

PVC - PolyVinylCarbonate - usually white sticks of plastic tubing, easy to cut, chemically welds (melted) to other fittings. Easy to use.

CPVC - copper sized pvc - can be used to transition from copper pipes to pvc. I think that this type may have a slightly higher resistance to warping from heat. I would have to double check.

PEX - I think of this type of plumbing like a garden hose. The hose can come in long lengths so you may just need a fitting on 2 ends, rather than having to have multiple joints because of the length of the pipes. Flexible so it may turn corners without having to add fittings and another possible place for a leak.

Disclaimer: Check with your building codes to check for your local requirements and see if the type of plumbing you want to use is right for the job.

So much info! A wealth of knowledge!

Another word of caution; I had a 100+ year old rental unit that had been re-plumbed in copper only they did not replace all the plumbing and the solder used in the copper had lead in it(many years ago). In the basement remained about 10' of galvanized pipe and 20' of lead pipe. I was shocked to learn they used lead pipe for water and how closely it resembles galvanized pipe. Galvanized pipe will build up rust etc. and at some point close or restrict water flow leading to reduced pressure at the tap. Lead pipe is just bad. It is the lead that had been in solder to assemble the copper fittings that was a health problem. The new solder which has been required by law to be used for drinking water has no lead which should make copper plumbing safe. I'm sure you can find many different opinions on which product is the best. Check your local building codes for requirements and information.

Yes, alot of people are replacing their water lines and most new homes have the PEX or hard plastic tubing now for the water lines in their homes. PEX or other brands have created a quick fix for repairs and have made the taste more enjoyable.

I would rather have copper (newer) water lines over galvanized (Older), because the galvanized lines over time with begin to clog and eventually they will need to be replaced. The galvanized pipes will gradually reduce the water pressure over time.
The best way to determine the pipes in the house is to go in the utility room and follow the pipes for as long as you can. Under sinks the valves will be connected to the actual piping. Copper or Galvanized.

free from the BPA?

I know the galvanized are bad and were used out here in CA a lot; and then went to copper; but I always thought copper was supposed to be the best. Learn something new all the time.

Galvanized piping is the pipe that corrodes and doesn’t leak so much as it just clogs up over time. In older homes you just can’t avoid it. You always want to check the water pressure and this will help you to determine how much it has corroded. The best way I like to check the pressure is to turn on the bathroom shower, sink and flush the toilet all at the same time and see what the pressure is like. This will give you a good idea. Good Luck!!