Quick Answer
The answer to this question is almost always yes, but if your home still has galvanized pipe, the main answer is to upgrade to pex plumbing because it will be the most cost effective upgrade for your home in Ontario. Galvanized steel pipe can last 40-70 years, but internal rust corrosion causes the pipe to have trouble flowing water and is subject to damage when freezing. Pex pipe has a longer lifespan, resists corrosion, is more resistant to freezing, and is less labor intensive to install due to fewer joints. If your home was constructed prior to the 1970s or you have rusty water and low pressure, it’s time to have a licensed plumber inspect your home.
What Is a Galvanized Pipe?
Galvanized pipe is a pipe that has a thin coating of zinc on it to retard corrosion. It was commonplace in Canadian houses constructed from the 1920s until the early 1970s. When the zinc coating is worn away, the underlying steel begins to corrode inward, but only for decades of time until it wears away.
The trouble is you can’t see this happening. Corrosion grows on the inside of the pipe wall, slowly decreasing the cross-sectional area of the pipe that can hold water. When you start to see lower pressure or some discoloured water, the walls you have may have been leaking for years with galvanized plumbing.
Quick Facts: Galvanized Pipe
- Common in homes built 1920s–early 1970s
- Typical lifespan: 40–70 years, shorter in hard water or coastal-style humidity
- Made of steel with a zinc protective coating
- Corrodes from the inside, often invisibly
What Is a PEX Pipe?
PEX pipe (cross-linked polyethylene), a flexible plastic pipe, has become the standard replacement pipe for pex water line installations and has been the choice of pipe for repiping entire homes. Unlike rigid steel or copper, pex pipework will bend around corners and through joists, reducing the number of pex fittings and leak possibilities.
PEX pipe and fittings are pushed or crimped together by a pex connector and modern pex pipe joints will last for many years without causing those potential corrosion issues with metal pipe.
Quick Facts: PEX Pipe
- Flexible plastic tubing, resistant to corrosion and scale buildup
- Typical lifespan: 40–50 years
- Handles freezing temperatures better than rigid pipe
- Faster to install, with fewer joints than copper or galvanized
Galvanized vs PEX: Comparison Table
| Feature | Galvanized Pipe | PEX Pipe |
| Material | Zinc-coated steel | Cross-linked polyethylene |
| Typical lifespan | 40–70 years | 40–50 years |
| Corrosion resistance | Poor over time | Excellent |
| Freeze resistance | Poor (can crack) | Good (flexes under pressure) |
| Installation speed | Slower, rigid | Faster, flexible |
| Cost per linear foot | Not manufactured new for water lines | Roughly $1.50–$4.00 |
| Water quality impact | Can cause rust, discolouration, low pressure | No corrosion-related water quality issues |
Signs You Need to Replace Old Galvanized Pipes
A licensed plumber can confirm the diagnosis, but these are the most common warning signs:
- Rusty or discoloured water, especially when you first turn on a tap
- Low water pressure that gets worse over time, particularly on upper floors
- Frequent pinhole leaks appearing in different spots
- Visible corrosion or rust on exposed pipe sections in the basement
- Home built before 1975 and original plumbing has never been replaced
- Metallic taste or smell in tap water
When you see two or more of these symptoms, it’s time to arrange a plumbing inspection before one of the pipes bursts and leads to water damage.
Why Replace Galvanized Pipe With PEX?
Benefits of PEX over galvanized:
- No internal corrosion, so water stays clear and pressure stays consistent
- Flexible installation means less wall and floor disruption during a repipe
- Better resistance to freeze damage in Ontario winters
- Lower material and labour costs compared to copper
- Long-term reliability with fewer emergency repair calls
Trade-offs to know:
- PEX shouldn’t be exposed to direct sunlight (UV) long-term
- It’s not suitable for exterior, above-ground exposed runs
- Some municipalities and older code versions have specific installation requirements, so professional installation matters
Common Mistakes Homeowners Make
- Patching instead of replacing: Clamping or epoxy-sealing a leak in galv pipe buys a little time but doesn’t stop internal corrosion elsewhere in the system.
- Ignoring low pressure: It’s easy to blame the municipal supply, but declining pressure across your whole home is a classic sign of pipe narrowing.
- DIY repiping: A whole-home repipe involves shutting off water, opening walls, and connecting into your existing drain and supply systems correctly mistakes here can mean leaks behind finished walls.
- Skipping a camera inspection: Before committing to a full repipe or a spot repair, a camera inspection shows exactly where the damage is.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Galvanized Pipe With PEX?
The cost of re-piping a house depends on the size of the home, the accessibility of the pipes and the length of the pipe to be replaced, but in most Canadian homes in Ontario, it can range between a couple of thousand dollars for a smaller job, to much more for a larger home with multiple bathrooms and limited accessibility. The only accurate number you can get is by having an evaluation in the home, as slab foundations, finished basements and older layouts will all impact on labour time.
Why Choose BOS Plumbing and Drains for Your Repipe
You don’t have to do the research and guesswork when it comes to choosing between galvanized pipe and pex plumbing. With more than two decades of hands-on experience, BOS Plumbing and Drains is helping homeowners in the GTA switch to a fresh, more efficient PEX system from the outdated and unreliable galvanized plumbing.
What sets BOS Plumbing and Drains apart:
- Licensed and insured local experts who handle everything from a single pipe repair to a full pex plumbing fittings repipe.
- 24 hour plumber emergency service for burst pipes, leaks, and sudden pressure loss
- 25-year transferable warranty on sewer and water line replacements, so your investment is protected.
- Free expert advice and upfront quotes before any work beginsno surprise charges
- Local knowledge of homes and plumbing systems in Mississauga, plumber in milton, plumber in cambridge, plumber in hamilton, and plumber in etobicoke service areas, plus Oakville, Brampton, North York, Niagara, and Toronto.
From residential plumber projects to commercial plumbing repairs and plumbing services, the team provides same-day service and reasonable pricing along with the careful diagnostics that make them the skilled plumbing professionals that they are.
Ready to Replace Your Old Pipes?
Don’t leave it until the water pipe in your home ages and bursts that you have to make the decision. Call (905) 247-5747 or book online now with BOS Plumbing and Drains for an honest quote and free consultation, quoting for the replacement of your existing plumbing system with PEX.