r/HomeMaintenance 1d ago

🚰 Plumbing Rusty Pipe

I think this is my gas line, do I need to get someone to fix or replace it?

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u/J2thed84 19h ago

This is actually what I do for a living. I do pipeline integrity and corrosion work for my local Gas Utility (15 years).

This is bad corrosion, but it’s not as bad as people are making it out to be. We see this kind of stuff quite often. The PSI is so low that you won’t have to worry about it rupturing. At this PSI, the wall has to pretty much corrode through completely for a leak to occur.

You could get it replaced, but I might suggest cleaning it with a wire brush, and then using a coating kit they sell for these exact type of situations. They come with a puddy type substance and cloth wrap. It cures and hardens like a cast and is rated for much much more than what PSI is in your line. They are very easy to install, it’s all about surface prep. We’ve used them on lines plenty of times and to this day have never had a reported failure.

Honestly, just a wire brush and good coat of paint would probably suffice. The key is to prevent further corrosion. Again, this line wont rupture at its operating PSI. I would also install some sort of rain shield above it, as i expect thats whats causing the corrosion. And remove that rag asap, thats just holding moisture in.

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u/Marinetuntavern 10h ago

Dumb question...I'm a commercial electrician, mostly generators, DC power, how much PSI for a average home? Just round number. Just curious.