The Difference Between Black Pipe & Galvanized Pipe

Water and gas require pipes to supply residential homes and businesses. Gas supplies power to stoves, water heaters, furnaces and other devices. Water is essential and obvious. The two most common types of steel pipe used to carry water and gas are black pipe and galvanized pipe. So, what is the difference between black pipe & galvanized pipe. Confusion is common among home owners, and even some professionals, as to where to use these steel pipes and under what circumstances.

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Galvanized Pipe
Galvanized steel pipe is covered with a zinc material to make the steel pipe more resistant to corrosion. The primary use of galvanized pipe is to supply water to homes and buildings. The zinc also prevents the buildup of mineral deposits that can clog the water line.

Black Pipe
Black steel pipe is different from galvanized pipe because it is uncoated. The dark color comes from the iron-oxide formed on its surface during manufacturing. The primary purpose of black steel pipe is to carry natural gas into homes and businesses. The pipe is manufactured without a seam, making it a stronger and safer pipe to carry gas. The black steel pipe is also used for fire sprinkler systems because it is more fire-resistant than galvanized pipe.

In brief:

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• Black pipe and galvanized pipe are made of steel
• Galvanized pipe has a zinc coating, black pipe does not
• Galvanized pipe is ideal for carrying water but not suitable for carrying gas
• Galvanized pipe is more expensive because of zinc coating
• Galvanized pipe is more durable

You do not want to use galvanized pipe for gas because of the galvanized coating. Over time pieces of the galvanized steel will flake off and clog your gas regulators and burner units.

Never mix galvanized and black iron or where they touch corrosion will be accelerated.

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In the old days, sometimes after a long time. This was generally due to the poor quality of galvanizing. Today using galvanized pipe generally presents no threat. Plumbers tend to use black pipe with gas for two main reasons. One is that it costs less than galvanized (except I’ve seen some home centers charging more for black which must be because of consumers lack of knowledge of “cost”). The other is that if galvanized pipes are used for water then using black for gas distinguishes the two uses. Imagine using galvanized for both gas and water in the same house? That could present a problem in people distinguishing which pipes are carrying what. I like to suggest painting galvanized pipes used for gas yellow. Today there exists flexible stainless steel gas pipe and it always yellow (that I’ve ever seen) so painting piping that is for gas yellow seems like a good idea. If pipe is in the ground it will tend to corrode faster (depends on the soil conditions). Many areas do not allow galvanized pipe underground for gas piping and factory coated steel pipe must be used. In some areas plastic pipe is allowed underground (with electric wire above it to allow for locating of that plastic gas pipe as well as warning tape above that pipe as well).

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