Most Common Plumbing Problems in Old Houses

Owning an old house can be quite an extraordinary experience. The charms of an old house are numerous, and they certainly have attracted many people over the years. Those charms may be set aside when maintenance and repair bills come in. Many neglected old houses lose their "reputation" quicker than the new ones. Neglecting to do the proper maintenance can lead to many problems. One of them is undoubtedly the plumbing problem. Many old houses are suffering from just that. To make things even worse, there is no guarantee that another issue like this will arise shortly after you have taken care of it. This article will discuss some of the most common plumbing problems in old houses and how to deal with them.

Most common plumbing problems

There are many plumbing problems that "plague" old houses. As the house is older, the chances it is going to be susceptible to plumbing problems arise. Before we head deeper into talking about a single problem, let's take a look at an overview. Here are some of the most common ones:

●      pipe leakage

●      faulty sewer lines

●      pipe corrosion

●      old fixtures

●      improper installation

These are some of the most common plumbing problems in old houses and certainly one of the toughest to handle. Depending on your house's age and state, you can face one or many of these problems. Experts at kevinszabojrplumbing.net suggest you should act fast in reacting to the early signs of any of these problems. To avoid any further damage and to be able to fix the problem quickly, this can prove to be a sound strategy. Also, investing in a solid pipeline is something worth your time and money.

One of the most common plumbing problems in old houses are pipe leakages

Every owner of a house encounters a pipe leakage problem. Even more so if your house is old. Many homes, especially ones from the 70s and 80s, were fitted with now old pipes made out of outdated material. Due to the years of service and rust that is inevitably forming, these pipes are prone to crack and break. Leaving your house completely flooded and wet. To make things worse, it damages other parts of your home, such as walls, electricity cables, and furniture. Galvanized steel and polybutylene pipes came out of fashion in the 90s, as they were very unstable, prone to cracks and rust, and could break more easily. There is a way to identify the cause of leaks in your home through routine inspections. They can be an excellent tool for spotting any possible rusted pipe that can pose a problem in the near future.

Faulty sewer lines in old houses

Faulty sewer lines are one of the most common problems in old houses. Sewer lines suffer if you neglect to maintain them. They are built for draining the water away from your sinks, bathtubs, and toilets. This is one of the main reasons they are very susceptible to clogging. The amount of clogging also depends on the age of sewer lines and maintenance.The damage that faulty sewer lines can cause is vast, so it is for the best to take regular line inspections and maintenance so it would not come to over clogging and leakage. Repairs after the leakage and clogging are pricy and tricky, and that's why all of the experts at Helix Transfer & Storage will always tell you to do checks and maintenance often. When it comes to old houses, this becomes even more important.

Pipe corrosion is also a common plumbing problem

Pipe corrosion is one of the most common problems of old houses and is very connected to pipe leakage. As mentioned before, way back in the day, in the early 60s, pipes were made out of lead. Lead was cheap and easy to come by but has proven to be very weak and fragile, making pipes a liability. After that, galvanized and polybutylene pipes went out of fashion in the 90s because they were wrongly reacting with chemicals in municipal water. Corrosion is still a problem in modern pipes even today and is considered one of the top things that can mess up your plumbing system. Early signs of corrosion are most commonly discolored water, discolored pipes, rising monthly bills without usage increase, and many more. It can be in your best interest to spot them early on and react fast so the damage can be mitigated.

Old fixtures 

Part of the charm of the old houses is their stylized faucets and fixtures. Although they bring a certain appeal and vintage look, they are also very susceptible to corrosion and rust. Even though you take good care and do all of the necessary maintenance, these fixtures will not last forever. In actuality, they are one of the most fragile points in old plumbing. The fact is that the older the fixtures, the harder it will be to repair them in the future. Even a tiny leakage in the beginning, if left unchecked, will grow into a big problem over time. Spotting old fixtures can be through broken knobs, sinks and showers, various leaks, and restricted water flow. According to experts, acting as soon as possible lowers the chance this minor fix can grow to be a headache.

Moving because of the plumbing problems in the old house

Moving away from the house is a challenging and stressful process. Even more so when it comes to the flooded house due to the water leakage. Last-minute moving is extremely difficult; there is no doubt about it. Packing in these situations may seem like a desperate act. Experts in the field state that the best thing to do in these situations is not to panic. Another good tip would be to pack bare essentials. For example, if you have to stay somewhere else, it can be very useful to check with nearby motels and hotels if none of your friends or families are available to help you.

The most common plumbing problems in old houses are many. Most of them are really easy to spot, even in the early stages. To avoid further complications and damage, every expert plumber will always tell you to tackle those issues as soon as possible. Regular checks and maintenance programs will keep you aware and up to date with potential problems for those that are harder to spot.

Guest Contributor: Sophia Perry