In the past, lead pipes were commonly used in plumbing systems, even for drinking water. However, realizing lead's significant public safety hazards led to identifying iron and steel as alternatives. However, these metals present a new challenge—rusting over time.
Enter galvanization. By applying a protective layer of zinc to iron and steel pipes, they gained resistance against the elements. From around 1960, galvanized pipes became the go-to choice in homes worldwide. Unfortunately, this solution wasn't flawless.
