Should galvanized pipes in a Calgary infill be replaced now?

If the galvanized supply pipe in your Calgary home dates from the original build, it is likely near the end of its useful life, and replacing it before it fails is usually the smarter financial call. Galvanized supply pipe has a rough lifespan of 40 to 70 years, and the internal rust and mineral scale that accumulate over that time reduce water pressure, discolour the water and eventually cause pinhole leaks. Calgary's hard water, running between roughly 141 and 274 mg/L of calcium and magnesium depending on which treatment plant serves the address, adds to that scaling inside the pipe.

Is replacement urgent or optional?

The honest answer depends on what the pipe looks like right now. If the water runs rust-coloured in the morning, pressure at upper-floor fixtures is noticeably weak, or a plumber's camera or pressure test shows heavy internal buildup, replacement is urgent. If the pipe is still flowing cleanly and there are no visible corrosion stains at joints, you have some time, but not unlimited time. A renovation is the best window to act: when walls are already open, repiping costs less than opening finished drywall later.

A whole-house repipe in Calgary typically runs $8,000 to $15,000, with most homes landing around $10,000 to $13,000. A larger two-storey can reach about $18,000. Drywall patching and painting are sometimes quoted separately, so confirm that in writing before signing. PEX is a common replacement material because it is easier to route through tight spaces; copper remains an option where it suits the layout.

A City of Calgary plumbing permit is required for a repipe. When you hire a plumber, the plumber takes it out; a homeowner who owns and lives in the house can take out a homeowner permit only for work they do themselves. Starting work before the permit is issued doubles the permit fee, so confirm the permit is in hand before the first pipe is cut.

The plumber doing the work must be a certified journeyperson or a registered apprentice working under one. Under the Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act, plumbing is a compulsory certification trade in Alberta. Before paying any deposit, ask for the plumber's trade certificate, a WCB-Alberta clearance letter and, because a deposit is involved, confirmation that the contractor holds an Alberta prepaid contracting licence from Service Alberta. For a job this size, get the scope in writing: fixed price or hourly rate, which pipe material and fittings, permit and inspection, wall patching, removal and disposal of the old pipe, warranty on parts and labour, and start and completion dates.

One thing worth checking while the walls are open: if the home was built before 1987, there is a small chance lead solder was used at copper joints elsewhere in the system. The City of Calgary notes lead solder was permitted until 1986. A plumber can flag this during the repipe assessment.

Where the walls get opened is the question that tests a repipe quote: ask to be shown exactly where and how the patching will be handled, because that answer will tell you whether the quote is genuinely complete.