Galvanized pipe question...

[fatdaddy]

I have an old cabin.Fifties. Some of the plumbing has been replaced and I have some pvc and copper but most is galvanized threaded pipe,I think.
When I last visited the place,the cold water in the bathroom and the supply to the toilet ran VERY slowly.The hot was OK and the hot and cold in the kitchen was good. My cousin offered her thought--perhaps the pipes have clogged with minerals for the cold in the bathroom.
My questions are:
How does one join copper to galvanized in this situation IF I need to replace the colds supply? Should I use copper or get threaded galvanized pieces to match what I remove if in fact the issue is clogged pipe?
Thanks in advance.

[SewerRatz]

I have an old cabin.Fifties. Some of the plumbing has been replaced and I have some pvc and copper but most is galvanized threaded pipe,I think.
When I last visited the place,the cold water in the bathroom and the supply to the toilet ran VERY slowly.The hot was OK and the hot and cold in the kitchen was good. My cousin offered her thought--perhaps the pipes have clogged with minerals for the cold in the bathroom.
My questions are:
How does one join copper to galvanized in this situation IF I need to replace the colds supply? Should I use copper or get threaded galvanized pieces to match what I remove if in fact the issue is clogged pipe?
Thanks in advance.

You need to use dielectric unions.

[fatdaddy]

Like an ACE HARDEWARE? If so,how do they get installed? Sweat on the copper side and threaded on the galvanized side?
I may have a plumber do it eventually but I alwasy like to save when I can.
The trouble is...going under the house.Spooky to say the least!

[nhmaster]

thread on the galv side, swett on the copper. Why not rip it all out and pexify the place?

[SewerRatz]

thread on the galv side, swett on the copper. Why not rip it all out and pexify the place?

Shame on you saying that dirty word... pex..

[fatdaddy]

I would engage in serious upgrades but the junction noted (Thanks Rat) might just do the trick. Sweating under that old tinderbox might just be what the doctor ordered in terms of a major remodel!
Any other conncetions that might work without sweating?
Thanks.
Alan

[kingsotall]

Sharkbites may be the trick. God, I wish I wasn't posting this. :(
Just the thought of you, fatdaddy, under the house with a torch and it being a tinder box and all. :rolleyes:

[Terry]

It's a cabin.
Just pull out "all" of the galvanized and replace with PEX

Any galvanized you leave in, will be replaced shortly.
And when you start adding copper, the galvy will go downhill very quickly.

[fatdaddy]

Sharkbite connections the best?
If other connections used,what are the tools I will need.
ALSO,this stuff will be under the cabin but not in the ground,I think.Do critters gnaw on PEX? Can it be insulated like copper,with foam?
Thanks.

[jadnashua]

Mice have been known to chew on pex that is exposed. Yes, you can use standard pipe insulation on it...the OD is the same as equivalently sized copper (the ID is smaller because the wall thickness is larger).

Sharkbites work when connecting pex, but because of their costs, it quickly becomes cheaper to use the manufacturer's fittings and attachment tools if you are doing a lot of work. THey're great for repairs or a temporary repair (like capping a line prior to installation of a fixture or making a repair where there's not much room).