Most Common Plumbing Issues in Older Homes

Most Common Plumbing Issues in Older Homes
  • Opening Intro -

    There's nothing wrong with purchasing an older home.

    In fact, older homes have a lot of history and aesthetic value.

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Still, you take a risk with any older purchase because you never know the entire condition it’s in. Your home’s plumbing is no different.

Here are some of the most common plumbing issues in older homes to look out for.

Outdated Piping

The most common plumbing issue in older homes is outdated pipes. Homes older than thirty years most likely use piping materials not used today.

For instance, lead piping was common in homes and apartments built in the early and mid-20th century. Another common material was galvanized steel, which was found to be highly corrosive and leach zinc and other heavy metals into drinking water.

Today, most pipes use copper or high-density polyethylene which don’t corrode or leak heavy metals.

Trapped Air

Trapped air occurs when there is an issue with the water main. If the previous owner cut off the water supply at any point, air will enter into the system and damage the water system.

Trapped air can cause rust and corrosion, weaken pipes, and drop sediment in the water. Fortunately, it’s also a solvable plumbing issue that you may not need a plumber for.

There are many steps to bleeding trapped air out of your plumbing system. It involves turning off the water main, opening every faucet to let water fill the pipes, and then turning on the water main.

Although the process is straightforward, call a plumbing service to assist you if you’re uncomfortable doing it yourself.

Improper Repairs

Despite the visual attraction of older homes, the unfortunate reality is that you never know what type of work was done on it before you moved in. Improper repairs are one of the most common plumbing issues in older homes.

Being a homeowner means you’re at the mercy of whoever repaired the home in previous years. Older homes most likely faced large-scale plumbing work over the years.

Unless you’re a plumber yourself, it’s best to call a reliable plumbing service to inspect the property and diagnose any improper repairs. From there, they can take the necessary steps to mitigate further issues.

Drainage Issues

Last but not least, pay attention to drainage issues. Older homes are notorious for poor drainage systems. That’s because decades of soap, scum, and dirty water cause clogs, blockages, and corrosion.

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Strange odors or drainage backups are typically a huge sign something is amiss. Don a pair of rubber gloves and purchase some drainage cleaner if you notice any continual blockages in your water fixtures.

Sometimes, the problems run deeper than your bathroom sink or kitchen faucet. In this case, call a plumber to inspect the drains and remove any debris.

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