Is it ok to use galvanized pipe for water supply?

[gagecalman]

Is it ok to use galvanized pipe for the water supply?
My friend had his house in Florida repiped with PEX and they replaced the backflow preventer. It seemed odd that they used galvanized pipe.

 

[havasu]

To me it seems like the correct choice, especially since it is in an outdoor location.
Since I'm not an expert, I'd recommend waiting for other professional's comments.

 

[Geofd]

The galvi is on the irrigation side of the back flow device you should see an arrow pointing that way ,I think over a period of time like any galvi it's gonna corrode and close up the did it for stability, how long that takes is a big guess

 

[gagecalman]

The galvi is on the irrigation side of the back flow device you should see an arrow pointing that way ,I think over a period of time like any galvi it's gonna corrode and close up the did it for stability, how long that takes is a big guess

Not for irrigation. This is the main for the house. Don't know if that makes a difference.

 

[psomerville]

Won't that setup lead to galvanic corrosion?

 

[Twowaxhack]

Galvanize is illegal for potable in my area. Florida plumbers use it all the time and I have NO IDEA WHY

 

[pasadena_commut]

I think over a period of time like any galvi it's gonna corrode and close up the did it for stability, how long that takes is a big guess

With good galvanized a very long time. The galvanized in our house is now around 68 years old and the flow is still decent. We had to cut out a valve inside the house at one point and the corrosion in the pipe was no more than 2mm thick. Same for the sprinkler risers in the front yard, which were no longer attached to a source when we changed the main line to the house (to copper). On the other hand banging on old galvanized pipes can release clouds of rust which jam up the sink aerators and other things downstream. After they replaced that inside valve, which involved cutting a pipe with a sawzall, it took almost 30 minutes to flush all the loose rust which was released out of the 10 ft. of pipe to the first downstream faucet. It was so badly jammed the cartridge had to come out, and even then the outlet packed solid with rust and had to be cleared with a wire hanger twice. Then the rest was flushed out the tub spout on the far side of the house after first removing that cartridge. Left undisturbed rust isn't much of a problem. I clean out the aerators every couple of months and it is mostly scale, with just a few tiny rust flakes. When the water heater is flushed it is again mostly scale, with just a tiny amount of rust.