Texas Home Insurance and Galvanized Pipes

What Are the Risks of Galvanized Pipes in My Texas Home

Galvanized pipes, commonly found in homes built before the 1960s, deteriorate over time, leading to a range of plumbing problems. The biggest risks associated with these pipes include:

• Corrosion and Rust Buildup: As the zinc coating wears away, the steel underneath begins to corrode. This leads to rust buildup inside the pipes, restricting water flow and causing water discoloration.



• Leaks and Pipe Failures: Corroded pipes weaken over time, increasing the likelihood of leaks or even major pipe bursts. This can cause significant water damage, especially if a leak goes undetected within walls or under floors.
• Water Contamination: Rust and corrosion can contaminate your home's water supply, leading to poor water quality.
• Low Water Pressure: As rust and debris accumulate inside the pipes, they narrow, reducing water pressure throughout the home.

For Texas homeowners, these risks are even more pressing. Texas' hot climate, shifting soil, and high mineral content in the water can accelerate pipe deterioration, leading to costly repairs and extensive water damage.

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Are Galvanized Pipes Causing My Texas Home Insurance Cancellation

If you've recently received notice that your homeowners insurance policy is being canceled—or if your premiums have spiked—you're not alone.

Many Texas homeowners are discovering that insurance companies are increasingly unwilling to cover homes with galvanized plumbing. The reason is simple: these pipes present a high risk of leaks, water damage, and expensive claims.

Insurance providers assess risk based on the likelihood of a claim being filed. Galvanized pipes, due to their age and tendency to corrode, are seen as a significant liability. As a result, many insurers refuse to cover homes with galvanized plumbing unless the homeowner takes action to replace the pipes.

Common Ways Galvanized Pipes Can Affect Your Insurance

• Non-Renewal or Policy Cancellation: If your insurer determines that your home's plumbing poses a high risk, they may choose not to renew your policy or cancel it altogether. This often happens after a home inspection, where visible signs of corrosion or previous leaks raise red flags.
• Increased Premiums: Even if your insurer doesn't cancel your policy, they may raise your premiums significantly to account for the added risk. Some homeowners report dramatic increases in their rates after insurers identify galvanized pipes in their homes. For example, Allstate Insurance states that most insurers will take into account the presence of galvanized plumbing when calculating rates and premiums.
• Coverage Limitations: Some policies exclude water damage claims related to outdated plumbing. This means if your galvanized pipes leak or burst, you could be left covering costly repairs out of pocket.

In Texas, insurers are particularly cautious about covering homes with old, corroded pipes. If your Texas home still has galvanized plumbing, it's critical to understand the risks and take action to mitigate them.

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How to Prevent Texas Home Insurance Cancellation Due to Galvanized Pipes

If your homeowner's insurance is at risk due to galvanized plumbing, taking proactive steps can help ensure continued coverage and avoid costly surprises.

• Confirm Your Insurance Provider's Requirements: Contact your insurer to understand their stance on galvanized pipes. Some companies may allow short-term coverage with a plan for future replacement.
• Look for Alternative Insurance Providers: If your current insurer refuses coverage, shop around for providers willing to insure homes with galvanized pipes—though this is becoming increasingly difficult.

Repiping: The Best Way to Prevent Insurance Cancellation

The most effective way to eliminate the risks associated with galvanized plumbing—and ensure your home insurance policy remains intact—is by repiping your home with modern materials such as PEX (Cross-Linked Polyethylene) tubing or copper pipe, depending on your personal preferences (most of our full-home repipes utilize Uponor PEX-A tubing).

Both materials provide long-term reliability and can significantly increase the value of your home. By repiping, you not only protect your property from leaks and water damage but also gain peace of mind knowing that your insurance policy won't be at risk due to outdated plumbing.

Protect your Texas home insurance by repiping galvanized pipes, and ensure your peace of mind knowing that your home's plumbing is safe for years to come.

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Get a Quote to Replace Galvanized Pipes in Your Texas Home

Here at Repipe Specialists, we've fully replaced galvanized plumbing in thousands of homes since 1991 using both PEX tubing and copper piping. We continually get positive customer feedback from customers about their overall home repipe experiences. We often exceed their expectations on:

• Speed: Our repipe crews typically complete a repipe in a day, returning on another day for wall patching.
• Convenience: Through our One-Stop Repipe™ Process, we handle everything from permits, to wall patching, to inspections.
• Cleanliness: Our crews are trained to protect your home while working (we cover all surfaces with protective sheeting), and to clean up fully at the end of each day.
• Peace of Mind: Repipe Specialists is a fully licensed plumber in every state we operate in, and we back all of our repipes with a lifetime warranty.
• Financing programs: To help take the sting out of unplanned repipe expenses, we offer several financing programs.
• Price: As a specialist that performs hundreds of repipes a week, we can deliver high quality repipes at a lower cost vs generalist plumbers. We have an article that covers repipe cost factors in detail. Our quotes typically range from $4,500 to $15,000 depending on the size and complexity of your project.

Schedule a free in-home consultation, and one of our local repipe consultants will explain all your repipe options and provide you with a written, fixed-price quote. Ensure your homeowners insurance policy, replace your Texas galvanized pipes now.

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