Fortunately, not all ultrasonic investigation produce results indicated by our Photo Galleries.  In fact, many produce excellent results, and help to assure the building owner of long and reliable pipe service.

In many examples, a thread leak prompting an investigation will expose the fact that threaded schedule 40 pipe only provides a finite number of years of service, yet all larger welded pipe still offers another 50 years of reliability.  For one investigation where the remaining condition of the original 18 in. condenser water pipe from 1941 was questioned during a chiller replacement, ultrasonic investigation revealed the original installation of extra heavy ASTM A72 wrought iron pipe, and a consistent wall thickness approaching 0.475 in.  Such results certainly a shock to project managers having also learned that their new 18 in. pipe fitting up to the 1941 pipe was undersized at 0.350 in.

In fact, we have found plenty of examples of old pipe showing little to no internal corrosion after as much as 80 years of service.  Of course, pipe corrosion is very much dependent upon the service provided.  Yet even for steam and domestic water systems installed over 100 years ago, we have observed open pipe sections showing little to no wear.  Our finding of very favorable results is declining, however, as older buildings age and newer properties begin experiencing the combined impact of higher corrosion activity acting against lower quality and thinner piping products.

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