Should I replace galvanized pipes during my NB kitchen renovation?

Yes, if your New Brunswick home has galvanized steel pipes in or near the kitchen, replacing them during your renovation is strongly recommended. Galvanized pipes were standard in homes built before 1980 and are common throughout NB's older housing stock in Moncton, Fredericton, Saint John, and surrounding areas. After 40 to 60 years of use, these pipes are almost certainly corroded internally, restricting water flow and potentially contaminating your drinking water.

Galvanized steel pipes corrode from the inside out. Over decades, rust and mineral deposits build up on the interior walls of the pipe, gradually narrowing the opening and reducing water pressure. You may have noticed that your kitchen faucet does not flow as strongly as it once did, or that the water runs slightly discoloured when you first turn it on after being away. These are classic signs of galvanized pipe deterioration. More concerning, corroded galvanized pipes can leach lead into your water, particularly at threaded joints where lead solder or lead-containing fittings were commonly used.

Why Renovation Time Is the Best Time

The single biggest reason to replace galvanized pipes during a kitchen renovation is cost efficiency. When your contractor already has walls open for cabinet installation, electrical upgrades, or plumbing relocation, the incremental cost to replace galvanized sections with modern copper or PEX piping is $500 to $1,500. If you wait and need to do it later as a standalone project, you are looking at $2,000 to $5,000 or more because the plumber has to open finished walls, do the work, and then patch and refinish everything.

Modern replacement options include copper and PEX. Copper is the traditional choice, durable and proven with a lifespan of 50 to 70 years, but it costs more in materials and labour. PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) has become the most popular choice in NB renovations because it is flexible, faster to install, resistant to freezing, and significantly less expensive. PEX also handles the temperature swings common in NB homes better than rigid copper, as it can expand slightly if water freezes without bursting. Your plumber can advise on which makes sense for your specific situation, but either is a massive upgrade over galvanized.

Even if you are not moving your sink or changing the kitchen layout, a kitchen renovation that involves opening walls is your opportunity to inspect and replace galvanized pipes running through the kitchen area. Ask your contractor to check the condition of any exposed pipes during demolition. If they find significant corrosion, address it before closing the walls back up. The cost of drywall repair pales in comparison to a pipe failure behind your new $20,000 kitchen cabinets.

There is also an insurance consideration. Some NB home insurance providers are increasing premiums or adding exclusions for homes with galvanized plumbing because of the elevated risk of water damage from pipe failure. Replacing galvanized pipes during your renovation can improve your insurability and potentially lower your premiums.

A plumbing permit is required for pipe replacement in New Brunswick, and the work must pass a rough-in inspection before walls are closed. Your kitchen renovation contractor should coordinate this as part of the overall project schedule. If you are planning a kitchen renovation in an older NB home, finding a contractor experienced with older housing stock is essential. New Brunswick Kitchens can match you with local kitchen renovators who understand the unique challenges of NB's aging homes.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The New Brunswick Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Gionetterenovations
• Thirty Four Renovations