There’s an undeniable charm that many older homes have to them, which is why homebuyers are still inclined to purchase them nowadays instead of your typical modern home. While age shouldn’t necessarily be a reason you don’t move into your dream home, there are a few common problems that come with older houses that you need to watch out for, specifically with the plumbing.
If you think you’ve found the house of your dreams but it’s on the older side, don’t be afraid of a fixer-upper, but be mindful of the more serious plumbing issues that could cause a major inconvenience to life in your new home. Keep reading to find out some common plumbing problems you could potentially run into when you move into your older, but new house.
Outdated Fixtures
Over time, any fixture will go through general wear and tear because of how often they’re used. However, in older homes, the old fixtures and supply line connections are nearing the end of their lifespan, which can lead to serious leak problems. The last thing you’ll want to deal with in your home is a flood, so be mindful that the existing fixtures will most likely need to be replaced or repaired to some extent.
Faulty Installations and Repairs
In older homes, there’s always the question of how often repairs were made and who was doing the repairs. In many cases, the homeowner was making repairs themself or hiring a local handyman, rather than a professional plumbing company. While many of these installations or repairs are minor, such as faulty sink traps, there’s still a possibility that something more serious, like a faulty water heater, could be an issue you face. This is when you should call Einstein's Plumbing & Heating, Inc. and have our experts come take a look at the problem.
Outdated Piping
If you live in a home that was built before 1990, it was probably built with pipe materials that are no longer approved today, such as lead, galvanized steel, or polybutylene. Although the home was most likely renovated in the past few decades and the pipes were replaced, it never hurts to have our team at Einstein's Plumbing & Heating, Inc. to come inspect your home’s piping so that you don’t run into any unexpected disasters.
Failing Sewer Lines
We all know sewer lines are out of sight, but that doesn’t mean they can be out of mind. The older your home gets, the more your sewer lines will become clogged by sediment build up and other debris. Additionally, older homes face many issues with sewer lines becoming damaged by tree roots. Be mindful when you move into an older home, sewer line issues are something you’ll most likely deal with and it’s important to have a professional inspect your system before any major problems arise.
Bellied Lines
It’s normal for houses to shift over time, but when this happens, the pipes underneath the home can start to slope, or “belly,” which restricts water flow. If the pipe bellies remain ignored, pools of water can accumulate, creating blockages and leaks. It’s best to have our team at Einstein's Plumbing & Heating, Inc. check your property to ensure the situation isn’t severe enough that you would need pipe repair. While you might think everything on your property is fine because you can’t physically see your pipes and there’s no visible damage, it’s always in your best interest to have your piping inspected.