It may be surprising why one will want to make a shift from the galvanized pipe to the PEX plumbing tubes. Well, probably the answer lies within a clogging in the pipes of your house. The reason why pipes get galvanized is because the coating in the galvanized area provides a certain protection of the metal from rust. The question still remains on how long this coating does last. More often than not we do come across some form of corrosion in the pipes, an evidence that these galvanized pipes do not really last as long as they should. Besides, some form of calcium starts building over inner surfaces of pipes, due to zinc galvanization, and causes clogging up of the pipe, making the whole system ineffective. Another reason why it is disadvantageous to use galvanized piping over PEX pipes is that they form certain types of corrosion with copper, if the union is not dielectric.
Replacing Galvanized Pipes with PEX Tubing
This might compel to change your system from what is in use to another form. Some of the steps that will be required to take are included below.
Step 1: Make sure all the water is well drained. Probably have to go to your building’s main supply in order to do this. Shut off all the water since it will definitely interfere with the replacement process.
Step 2: Remove the galvanized pipes that need replacement. This can be done by the use of hacksaws, tube cutters and band saws, according to the type of binding that was done on them.
Step 3: There is a threading transition that needs to be installed before fixing the PEX plumbing pipes. These transitions are those that make it possible to combine these two materials into to form one system. Depending on the PEX pipe used and its size, dielectric union should be necessary at this stage.
Step 4: It is now possible to connect the PEX plumbing tube with the fitting that has been provided. On doing this, make sure that accuracy is preserved. This is because it is quite a soft material, despite its durability and its tough plastic nature.
Step 5: Some tests to your replacements are mandatory at this stage, in order to verify whether the replacement does not leave any leaks. The pressure test is most accurate and will give us the best indicator.
Sep 18th, 2010
