G.I. Joe, the classic army-themed line of action figures and toys, is fondly thought of by many (especially those who grew up in the 60’s – 80’s). The slogan on the commercials touted, “G.I. Joe, the real American hero!” G.I.Joe, like the G.I. Bill, stood for “General Issue” during World War II. But the term G.I. goes back even further than that, and, you guessed it, is also a plumbing term! In today’s blog, we’ll continue our series on Types of Pipes, with a look at galvanized iron (G.I.) piping.
KNOW YOUR PIPES
Galvanized iron pipes are made of mild steel sheets, and can be used to supply gas, water, or other liquids to your home. They are typically 20 feet long, and can be from half an inch to 6 inches in diameter. The thickness depends on the diameter. Additionally, galvanizing a pipe means coating it with a zinc solution. This is critical in preventing rust. Due to their relative lightweight, G.I. pipes can be easily cut, molded, and shaped into a desired shape to serve the needs at your home. Unfortunately, the life expectancy on G.I. pipes is only about ten years. The advantages of being lightweight also means that the piping is more susceptible to acid and alkaline in water, something common in areas known for hard water.
Remember, if you don’t know what type of pipes service your home, that’s ok. Just look in your original inspection report from when you purchased your home. All info about your pipe material should be there.
HOW WE CAN HELP
If you notice a problem with any of your pipes, count on the Trenchless Replacement Specialists! We can inspect and replace your pipes without digging. You can also visit some of our other blogs or our pipe replacement and repair page to learn about our “cured-in-place” pipe repair technique. For timely, affordable service, give us a call today at 432-580-7693!