If your house is on the”older” side, then you have probably come to expect extra maintenance issues popping up. Plumbing issues with older homes are sure to come up as our houses age. But if you know what to expect, you can tackle the issues head-on.
Some of the issues you might come across if your home was built in 1980s comprise of:
Galvanized pipes. Most Long Beach Plumbers will tell you that today’s pipes hold up better because they’re made of copper or plastic while older versions are galvanized. Galvanized pipes, which are made of steel and then coated in zinc, often corrode or develop rust over time. That can lead to clogs, blockage, leaks, busted water pipes, and the coating flaking to the tap water. If you have galvanized water pipes and you notice your water is brownish-colored, spots of rust are appearing on your pipes or at the pipe joints, or water pressure is reduced, it might signal it’s time to replace them.
Smaller vent pipes. Older homes have generally have 2-inch vent pipes while today’s houses use a larger, more-efficient 3-inch pipe. The smaller pipes will clog easily over time and can lead to blockage and decrease water flow.
Tree roots. As your home ages, there’s a great chance you have trees that have matured right along with it. Sometimes the roots can grow right into the interior of the pipes, causing a jumbled mass and partial or full blockage. Most Plumbers in Long Beach will tell you that the mess will continue to worsen as sink and toilet debris leads to the obstruction. Sometimes a plumber will need to run a camera down the pipe to determine the issue and the best way to fix it.
Old valves. Valves used up until 20 or 30 years ago should be replaced for a quarter-turn ball valve. These types of valves allow water to pass when it is in the first position, but once it is moved to the next place, water can’t flow. They have been shown to be much more effective than gate and shut-off valves, and ultimately much better at preventing flooding.
General wear and tear. Like any other part of your house, the plumbing will start to show its age with normal wear and tear and everyday use. Our Long Beach plumbers say that by swapping out and updating pipes and parts and staying on top of plumbing maintenance, you will help prevent potential disaster down the road.