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I've got a galvanized pipe in my garage that is used for a garden hose. It's fairly rusty. The end has been cut off so there are no threads left - I need a way to attach something to this pipe so I can put on an elbow and convert it to a garden hose.

A few things:

  • The pipe runs under a concrete pad so it's not possible to replace it without a major expense
  • The water doesn't need to be drinkable
  • Aside from the surface rust, the walls of the pipe are still very much intact

So, I tried using a rubber connector, which almost worked, but I can' clamp it down tight enough to make a 100% seal. I am going to try sanding the pipe next which might solve this, but I don't imagine this rubber connector would last long outside.

Any ideas? Can I re-thread this pipe? Is there some sort of sharkbite I can connect to unthreaded Galvanized? Compression fitting? enter image description here

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    I would clean up the pipe as good as I could with sandpaper, coat the pipe with RTV silicone, slide the rubber connector on as far as I could and add a second clamp close to the first clamp and tighten both with a socket wrench for more torque. let stand for a couple days before using.
    – d.george
    Commented May 4, 2018 at 18:15
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    Answers go down there. :)
    – isherwood
    Commented May 4, 2018 at 18:29
  • Are you willing to get a little janky with the solution? I'm not saying you should do things that aren't normally approved, but...
    – Hari
    Commented May 4, 2018 at 20:24
  • If you're considering non-DIY solutions brazing a threaded fitting on may be a possibility. (Depending on the size of the hole/skill of the welder) Heating the zinc on galvanized pipe requires a respirator so it's hardly the kind of thing you want to tool up for yourself. It's likely cheaper than tearing up everything though.
    – Matthew Gauthier
    Commented May 5, 2018 at 0:54
  • that rubber adapter will blow out use a galvenized commpression coupling to connect the new galvenized pipe to the old pipe.
    – user116961
    Commented May 8, 2020 at 1:59

3 Answers 3

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Buy a Ratcheting Pipe Threader with 1/2" steel die, or whatever size pipe that is, and thread the pipe. $35 at Harbor Freight or $80 at Northern Tool. Sand and use thread sealant as needed.

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They make fittings that we call "Moody Couplings"; this may be a regional or colloquial term but probably evolved from a manufacturer's name.

enter image description here

These are designed for pressure pipe, the size designed for 1/2" galvanized pipe also fits 3/4" copper. These are not designed to be installed in locations where a leak would not be evident/fixable, and they do require a relatively smooth outside surface (but are a bit forgiving in that respect). If you do this, I recommend not covering it up, so you can monitor.

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    The hose clamp coupler that you have used, depicted in your picture, is not designed for pressure applications.
    – Jimmy Fix-it
    Commented May 4, 2018 at 20:51
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You must read up on electrolysis, as someone who has worked in the water industry for years none of those tricks work. Galvanized nipples to copper/brass will corrode over time. If the pipe is in the ground, soil plays a factor in the process. Teflon and pipe dope does not work. Using compression fitting is your best bet for connecting two different types of metals pipes.

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