Should galvanized pipe be removed from system?

This is a steam system? Where is the galvanized? Mains, runouts, returns? And what pipes are being changed out due to rust?

Well, galvanized has a way of getting remarkably cruddy inside, particularly when it is kept wet. So... I'd probably replace all the returns. Anything below the water line of the boiler can be copper, if you like; anything above, threaded black iron, please. As to the mains and runouts -- they may not be too bad. If they are easy enough to replace I'd probably do it -- again, black iron. If not... Whatever you do, make sure that you use the same nominal pipe size or larger, and be absolutely sure that you get all the pitches correct.

ChrisJ said:

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Jamie Hall said:

Well, galvanized has a way of getting remarkably cruddy inside, particularly when it is kept wet. So... I'd probably replace all the returns. Anything below the water line of the boiler can be copper, if you like; anything above, threaded black iron, please. As to the mains and runouts -- they may not be too bad. If they are easy enough to replace I'd probably do it -- again, black iron. If not... Whatever you do, make sure that you use the same nominal pipe size or larger, and be absolutely sure that you get all the pitches correct.

Jamie,

Galvanized get's more cruddy inside than black iron when kept wet?

Let's just say... differently. But in my opinion it does, and I think that it is because it is steel, which rusts much more quickly than black iron, and if there are holes in the galvanizing it will concentrate the effect. But I could be wrong...