All piping systems have different corrosion related vulnerabilities and are typically installed with different materials with somewhat predictable lifespans.  Any condenser water system is a top priority for inspection, and with the lower quality of today’s pipe, newer buildings are raising the same concerns as those 40 years older.  Older galvanized steel pipe, whether installed for domestic water or sanitary waste, has a useful life of about 65 years; newer galvanized steel pipe far less.  Cast iron at older properties was typically extra heavy and capable of providing 85 or more years of reliable service.

Steam systems traditionally corrode at low and very uniform levels.  Wet fire sprinkler systems once provided very extended service – thereby making its date of installation a major factor.  The widespread use of thinwall schedule 10 and schedule 7 pipe for fire service has dramatically reduced expected service life.  Of the various systems, dual temperature piping presents likely the greatest threat due to the potential for catastrophic property damage.  Almost all such systems, installed with many hidden deficiencies, are reaching the end of their useful life and are immensely expensive to replace.