If your older Johannesburg home has weak, worsening water pressure and brown water in the mornings, the culprit may be hidden in the walls: galvanised steel pipes quietly rusting themselves shut. Here's what's happening and when to act.
Why galvanised pipes fail
Galvanised steel corrodes from the inside out. Over decades, rust and scale build up, narrowing the bore — which strangles pressure and flow — and eventually causing leaks and discoloured water. Once internal corrosion sets in, it only gets worse.
The signs
- Water pressure that has slowly worsened over years
- Brown or discoloured water, worst first thing in the morning
- Recurring leaks
- Visible rust or weeping on exposed pipes
Why patching doesn't last
Patching one failed section of a corroded galvanised system just buys time — the next weak spot fails soon after, because the whole network is degrading. If corrosion is widespread, repair after repair becomes false economy.
Re-piping: the lasting fix
Re-piping replaces the old steel with modern copper or PEX, restoring pressure and water quality for decades. It's a bigger job than a repair, but a skilled plumber plans the runs to minimise disruption. We assess how far gone your system is and advise honestly whether to repair or re-pipe — see pipe repairs or book an assessment.