is it within code to use black steel pipe on a hot water heater water feed line?
I just saw that there is black steel pipe on my hot water heater water feeds, both cold and hot. I am a sprinkler fitter and know that black steel pipe gets very nasty on the inside and I am woundering if it is sanitary to use on a domestic water line since I have a child less than two years old. I agree with the above. Steel pipe was and has been used for water lines for many years before the development of copper.. It is not recommended due to rust and the ability to scale. The primary purpose for steel pipe is gas, hydronic heating, steam, and as you well know sprinkler systems. I also do not recommend galvanized pipe, though also used for water pipe for many years. Because the minerals in the water react with the galvanizing material and form scale, which builds up over time and will eventually clog the pipe (especially lime). I am not a fan of PVC, or CPVC due to the possibility of chemical leakage into water. More is coming out about this now through many studies. PVC is inexpens
