Water Main Service Materials Tutorial – Water Main Materials In NYC
Lead - Lead water main service lines
Lead has not been an approved material for water main services in over 60 years. Lead is not present in reservoirs or rivers, therefore it does not occur naturally. Lead being present in a house water supply typically emanates from the main distribution system or the house plumbing.
Lead testing can be performed by various testing services quite inexpensively. When a house service line is made out of a lead it is strongly suggested that before using water the tap be run for 15 to 30 seconds when the water has not been run for 6 hours or so. This precaution will help eliminate the possibility of ingesting lead which could lead to lead poisoning.
There are a few ways to determine if a water main service line is lead. Lead water lines are malleable and silver colored and are also charaterized by molten lead "wiped joints" at their connection points. Wiped joints had to be used because lead cannot be threaded like a pipe can.
The NYC DEP code does not allow for the repair of lead water services. If repair work is needed on a lead water service by law it must be replaced. iny hairline cracks are made when a lead water service line is moved typically resulting in a leak within a year and a half or less.
Galvanized - Galvanized water main service lines
Galvanized pipe water main services are primarily found in areas where NYC residents were previously serviced by a private water supply company, such as Jamaica Water (JWP). Galvanized pipe is not legal in NYC as a material for a water service.
The inside and outside of a galvanized pipe corrodes when it comes into contact with moisture or water. It is similar to a clogged artery in a person - Only instead of a heart attack you get a flood! It is strongly suggested that any existing galvanized line have a complete water line replacement performed immediately with better materials such as K copper, as when they leak the service typically ruptures.
The NYC DEP code does not permit repairs on existing galvanized water main service lines. A galvanized water service which is repaired has little chance of being a long lasting repair. For lead water service lines the same applies.
Galvanized pipe is the only water service line material that is magnetic. Simply place any magnet on the water service, if it sticks the service is galvanized.
Water may be rust colored and actually contain rust when galvanized pipe is present in a house plumbing system.
Copper - K copper water main service lines
K type copper is the material that the vast majority of water services are installed with in NYC by a licensed master plumber. In addition most existing water services are K copper. For water services up to 2" in diameter K copper is generally used. K copper water services are characterized by flare fittings at the end of the tubing. Compression fittings can also be used, but are not legal for use in some municipalities such as New York City.K copper water services typically have a lifespan in excess of 50 years. Two conditions which can dramatically shorten the lifespan of an underground copper water service are filled ground containing ash and electrolysis. Electrolyisis is a condition created by stray electric current which attacks copper tubing, and ash which has a high acid content that leaches onto copper tubing.
Brass - Brass water main service lines
Brass pipe, which is threaded at each end is generally used solely for 2 1/2" water services. Therefore it is a material that is used infrequently, and is expensive compared to other approved materials. Brass is a metal composed primarily of copper and zinc. Brass is classified as a copper alloy, as copper is the main component. Brass is stronger and harder then copper, but not as strong or hard as steel.
The life expectancy of a brass water service line is over 50 years. Brass is not a magnetic material. Galvanized pipe is magnetic, other water main materials including brass are not. Therefore a magnet can be used to test whether a pipe is galvanized or not. These materials can appear similar to the naked eye. Both brass and galvanized pipe are threaded pipe, however brass is a legal NYC water main material and has a much longer life expectancy.
Ductile Iron Pipe - Ductile Iron water main service lines
Ductile Iron pipe is a cement lined pipe used for water services larger than 2" in diameter. Fire sprinkler services and large buildings, such as apartment buildings, are the typical use. Ductile Iron pipe is the same material that NYC uses for its distribution system and lasts for many decades. Our of all the materials used, Ductile iron pipe may be the most durable water service material approved for use in NYC.
Ductile iron pipe is put together with either push-on joints or mechanical joint retainer glands with set screws. No lead is contained in ductile iron pipe. Ductile iron pipe is sometimes used for sewer work such as when unstable ground conditions exist.
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