Galvanized drain pipe precaution

John Wood
by John Wood
I have a galvanized drain pipe for kitchen and garbage disposal which had a hole due to corrosion and I fixed it using a clamp. A bigger task is to replace them with PVC but until then I would like to know which food/liquids I should avoid dumping in the sink to increase its life.
Are vinegar, bleach, baking soda things that I should avoid?
Similar but a single corroded hole
  10 answers
  • Jim Jim on Jul 02, 2016
    change to plastic pipe
  • Johnchip Johnchip on Jul 02, 2016
    At thispoint it really won't make much difference fretting over what goes down the drain, unless it is industrial acid. The pipe is shot. A bit of this or that from your kitchen will not suddenly change your situation drastically. Plan for your pvc days sooner than later.
  • Lynn Palmatier Lynn Palmatier on Jul 02, 2016
    You must be in a pretty old house. PVC is today's answer to drainage. Our old house had what is called Orangeburg that we replaced with PVC. As far as avoiding this stuff if you are fixing the pipe. I think that these can be caustic items if undiluted. Recommendation is to get it replaced as soon as possible or you might get an even bigger problem.
  • Deanna Nassar Deanna Nassar on Jul 02, 2016
    Common household liquids should not harm the pipe. Change to PVC pipe as soon as possible. The old pipe is a problem waiting to happen again. Clamps a pipe tape only go so far.
  • Sophia,M.,McConnery Sophia,M.,McConnery on Jul 02, 2016
    All the things you mentioned are actually accelerating the decomposition of this type of pipe.You have to get the old pipe replaced as soon as possible!
  • Becky Shell Becky Shell on Jul 02, 2016
    Wow neve knew galvanized was ever used for drains heard of clay pipes ,iron pipes ,Pvc wonder if this was a diy project .This set up was just asking for problems.
  • Daryl Richardson Daryl Richardson on Jul 02, 2016
    Agree with Jonchip they are beyond worrying about what you put in them. They are thin other than the rust inside slowing the flow anyway. Time to replace with pic & not have the problems you're having or going to have.
  • Jean Myles Jean Myles on Jul 02, 2016
    I agree with the other people Now is the time to switch to Pvc.
  • Tagwatts1 Tagwatts1 on Jul 02, 2016
    If you want to solve the problem and not add to it. install the PVC. In the end it is going to be cheaper than patching , You can continue to patch or you can do it once. I know you are looking at expense., The pipe is finished and served its duty
  • Diana Diana on Jul 03, 2016
    I had the same problem a few years ago I scrubbed it clean and used the spray on leak stop you see on television I used black so I could see exactly where it was going, worked great