Generally speaking, older homes a majority of the time still have original or outdated plumbing that can cause varying degrees of damage to your home. Here are the top five common plumbing problems you may discover in your old home:
Not So Good Repairs
Most old homes tend to have an assortment of repairs, and some of those may have been DIY projects completed by unexperienced handymen or homeowners. For the untrained eye they may be a bit difficult to spot, which is why it is recommended that you should hire a local licensed Long Beach Plumber to inspect the home for these potentially dangerous and expensive repairs.
Old Fixtures and Connections
Old faucets, line connections and other fixtures are all likely to have corrosion of some sort. As a result, these can cause restricted water flow, leaks, and broken knobs that can be a bit expensive to repair once broken. If you clearly know that you have old fixtures in your home, typically it is best to contact a licensed Long Beach Plumber to help assess their condition.
Pipes with Outdated Materials
A high percentage of homes built before the 1990s are likely to have pipes made of materials that are no longer suggested by licensed plumbers, and may even be banned from use in homes completely.
For example:
Lead pipes were used a lot in homes before the invention of blasting furnaces capable of casting iron. Materials such as lead are highly toxic to humans. It is best to replace these for the health of those living in the home. In addition, be weary of lead fittings on copper pipes, as these are common in older homes.
Galvanized pipes were commonly used for water lines in homes built before the 1960s. They are made of iron and coated with a layer of zinc, which eventually will erode leaving the iron pipe to rust, causing blockage, and eventually the corrosion of the pipe. A majority of individuals replace galvanized pipes as needed, only replacing parts that have deteriorated.
Polybutylene pipes, found in homes built from the 1970s to 1990s, are made of a plastic resin that was much more affordable than the copper pipes before it. It is thought that the plastic and oxidants in water create a chemical reaction that leads to the breakdown of the pipe.
Pipe Bellies
Pipe bellies, or sags, happen below homes. Usually, they are caused by the gradual shift of homes over time. Overtime, the shifting causes a negative slope in the pipes, and a belly is formed when water movement is restricted and the water or soil builds up, sometimes to the point of blockages or leaks.
Sewer Line Fails
In homes with cast iron piping that is 25 years or older, sewer line failures are usual. If you have cast iron pipes in your home, generally it is best to replace them prior to them failing, which can be a bit pricey at times.
A few signs that you may have sewer line failure are:
- Sewage backups
- Sewer odor
- Mold
- Slow draining
- Extra green grass on your lawn
- Indentations on your lawn
- Cracks in your foundation
- Septic waste pooling in your yard
- Rodents
- And bug infestations