What would happy if galvanized pipe is connected directly to copper pipe?

Question

What would happy if galvanized pipe is connected directly to copper pipe?

Answer 1

If you connect copper to galvanized directly, the galvanized will 'not be happy'.  It will rot the steel over a period of time - a year or so.

Use a 6" brass or stainless steel nipple in between the two to prevent problems.  There are dielectric unions available, but they tend to clog up after a while.

Answer 2

Sparks will fly you HAVE to use the dielectric union connector but you should replace the galvanized pipe with all copper pipe if you can.

Galvanized pipe gets threaded  copper pipe is soldered.

So it just cant be connected that way.

Below is a link to show you how

Connect new copper water lines to old galvanized pipe with a fitting called a dielectric union. It prevents corrosion by separating the materials with a plastic and rubber washer.

TO: Steve G

& Harry H

You need to go back to plumbing 101**** I'm married to a plumber...He saw your answers and LHAO!

dielectric union Prevents that from happening.  

*********See link below***********

http://www.rd.com/familyhandyman/content...

Answer 3

Galvanising is coating with zinc. Zinc and copper react with each other if the water passing through them is slightly acidic

to produce a small electric current. The zinc gets taken off the iron, particularly with galvanised hot water cylinders, and produces a black sludge. The iron is no longer protected by the zinc (which was its original function) and rusts through. Use all copper, it's cheaper in the long run.

Answer 4

You will have a reaction called electrolosys which will cause the copper to turn green and will eat holes causing leaks  either use a dialectric union or replace all the pipe with the same material

Answer 5

Not a thing. However consider that with copper and plastic, water lines remain the same indefinitely, (PVC must be concealed from sun and weather) with galvanized, the flow of water through it creates electrolysis. This then causes the build up of scale inside the galv. pipe and reducing the inside diameter.