Is it safe to use copper and galvanized pipes on the same fitting?

Answer 1

My house used to have both, and then I was away during a hard freeze and had a pipe burst. When I replaced the burst pipe and got the system back up to pressure, the next run of pipe went, and so on, lengthwise. Both the copper and the galvanized had been weakened in structure by the contact between them, and I lost almost all the pipe in my system instead of just the one section.

I learned a lot about plumbing while I was trying to get running water again, and one thing I learned is: if you are using galvanized and copper in the same system, use a fitting called a "di-electric union" wherever they join. Available at the hardware store and only a bit more expensive than regular joint fittings, it keeps the two metals from actually contacting each other and thus keeps them from setting up whatever electric-type interaction that weakens both so drastically. As far as I could tell, the danger is to your pipes and sanity, not to your physical safety.

But what I could never figure out is why I didn't just use garden hoses joined in the same configuration as the metal pipes I actually used, and replace them as needed.

Another tip: it's best to swear and rant nonstop if you have to plumb under the house - not while you are at the hardware store (again) but while you are actually creeping along down under there dragging your wrenches and breaker bars etc. Happily, I was a natural at this. Later I compared notes with Real Plumbers and they confirmed it is the correct procedure.

Answer 2

There is a slow degradation of one of the metals with a deposit on the other, if copper and galvanized steel pipes touch each other. To prevent this, put some sort of brass between the two dissimilar pipes and it will prevent the problem. If you decide not to use brass between them the joint could hold up for as little as 6 months or as much as 20 years, it all depends on the different mineral and chemical contents of the water flowing through them.

Answer 3

It's absolutely safe, you won't have an electrical current but you will have a miniscule chemical reaction, but the process is so slow that it isn't a factor. Feel free to combine fittings as there is no problem whatsoever. There are many fittings designed to go from copper to galvanized and copper to brass....plumb away!!

Answer 4

Yes but it will not last as long as copper to copper or galvanized to galvanized. You will get an electrical current generated at the joint that will destroy one of the fittings.

Answer 5

Only if you live in Calif. As a plumber, I have always laughed at the statement on plumbing fixtures that states "materials used in this product are known in the state of california to cause health hazzards" So if you dont live in calf.,, no worry.