Purchasing an older home offers the opportunity to either remodel or preserve unique architecture from the past. However, houses built in latter decades can sometimes feature plumbing troubles that need to be handled for health and safety reasons. Here are four issues that older homes sometimes have that you should look out for.

4 Plumbing Problems Older Homes May Exhibit 

1. Deteriorating Sewer Lines

Sewer lines experience wear over the years from exposure to weather conditions and changing seasons. If you're moving into an older home, schedule a sewer inspection. This procedure will check your pipes for clogs that could lead to backups or flooding. 

2. Inefficient, Leaky Fixtures 

Faucets, toilets, showerheads, and pipes all have lifespans. People who live in older homes are more likely to experience leaks and inefficient water usage when these devices haven’t been replaced and have surpassed their expected use. Consider installing new fixtures when you move in to reduce the likelihood of moisture problems and improve water flow.

3. Rusty Pipes

If your house was built before the 1960s, it might have galvanized pipes. These zinc-coated iron plumbing features can rust and grow brittle over time. In many homes, these pipes are replaced in pieces, meaning some of the plumbing has been swapped out with newer, safer materials like PVC, while others are still corroding. Any rusted pipes need to be replaced to avoid drinking water contamination. 

4. Ample Repairs

Older plumbing will have likely already seen several repairs over the course of its life. If these fixes weren’t implemented by professionals, they might not have been done correctly. Additionally, if any fixes were made in the past, they might have used different, outdated techniques. Updating everything to the modern standard ensures you won’t lose any money from inefficient water use and leaks.

 

If your older home needs expert plumbing attention, contact The Plumbing Source in Cuyahoga County, OH. The company has been offering the Cleveland area various services, including well water repairs, gas line work, sewer fixes, excavation, backflow testing, and water treatment, since 1985. Call (877) 768-7239 or visit the website for information on their 24/7 emergency services or to learn why they have earned a Super Service Award from the Better Business Bureau® for 18 years in a row.