Older homes are charming, and purchasing one can be cheaper than buying a new build. However, aged houses may have a dated or failing plumbing system. You should have your system inspected by a licensed plumbing contractor such as Emery Plumbing to avoid costly emergency repairs.  John Mingo of Emery Plumbing in Hilo has thirty five years in the business and will be able to tell if your aged home is exhibiting any of these three warning signs.

3 Signs Your Old Home Plumbing Needs to Be Repaired

1. Dirty or Leaky Pipes

Many homes in East Hawaii built over 30 years ago use copper pipes that may be getting pocketed from the acid rain that we have here.  We can put new copper piping where needed, or install CPVC pipe instead.  If your home has galvanized steel pipes, they could rust once the protective zinc coating erodes. Rust will color your home’s water supply with an orange hue. 

2. Bellied Pipe and Exterior Underground Piping

Over time, your home will settle into its foundation, which may affect the pipework under it. As the pipes shift downward, they’ll create a belly in certain areas of your plumbing. If left unattended, this plumbing issue will cause clogs that’ll disrupt your home’s water flow.  We much of the underground piping in Hilo and Puna District is buried in old lava.  When we have strong earthquakes, the friction underground can cause pipes to break—almost guaranteed, if they were not installed in a bed of sand originally.   We often get calls from homeowners with sky-high bills from the water company, that must be attended to by repairing the exterior water pipe.  The best solution is usually to install a new PVC main water pipe from the water meter to the house, one foot underground and buried in sand for the entire length.

3. Worn Fixtures

Sometimes, the fixtures in an old home haven’t been changed since its construction. Important plumbing equipment, like faucets, valves, water pumps, hot water heaters, expansion tanks and garbage disposals, degrade over time, and they can exhibit leaks, corrosion, or poor drainage. Even if it’s only a single drip every second, a constant leak will spike your water bill. Fortunately replacing old fixtures is a small cosmetic update that you can quickly fix.

 

If your older home is experiencing any of these issues, contact the skilled team at Emery Plumbing in Hilo, HI. For over 35 years, these professionals have provided Big Island residents with quality plumbing services, including pipe repair, water filter, water pump, gas and hot water heater installations. Dedicated to customer service, this family-owned company offers emergency repairs and free estimates on all their work. Learn more about their residential services online, or call (808) 960-8826 to schedule a consultation.