Rust in water -- it’s repipe time

Question: The water that comes into my 25-year-old house is rusty -- in the sinks, showers, everywhere. Do I have to replace the old galvanized pipes?

Answer: Once that brown stuff starts traveling in galvanized pipe, it’s all over. Short of bottled water, replacement is the only solution. And with real estate disclosure laws, you’d probably have to fix the pipes anyway to sell the home.

Have each plumber’s estimate include a drawing of the pipes he will replace and the size pipe he will use. At least you will be able to compare apples with apples. And if you replace them with copper, the problem will not come back.