Out here in California galvanized steel in the ground can last
decades, depending on location. QTHs with low precipitation and
soil that is neither too acidic or alkaline are friendly to
galvanized steel.
Here is a common example: https://goo.gl/mC09hb This is a
galvanized steel culvert near Napa. Note how the sides and the
roof are in good shape despite being in contact with the soil;
only the bottom is rusted out due to urban trickle flows,
which tend to be polluted with fertilizers, household
detergents, etc., that attack the zinc. Once the zinc is gone
the underlying steel is eaten quickly by the flowing water.
Take the flowing water out of the equation and at this location
it's easy to imagine a guy anchor or buried galvanized wire
having a decent lifespan.
I'm not surprised by your observations if they are east of the
Mississippi River where year-round high precip rates keep soils
continuously moist and where acidic soils are common.
73 Jim K6OK
Kevin Kidd wrote:
> I can't entirely disagree with this but I have worked on enough
> AM sites where someone used steel (galvanized or not) in/on the
> ground and it has been very short lived. Everything from
> galvanized guy wire to galvanized high tensile horse wire to
> electric fence wire to chicken wire to UNgalvanized
> crane cable.
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