Typical plumbing problems found in older homes

Posted on 20 May, 2022 by John Snow

Plumbing

 

A licensed plumber provides Plumbing, piping system and fittings installed in a building for the distribution and use of drinking water (potable) and removal of waterborne waste. They are usually distinguished from water and sewage systems that serve a group of buildings or a city.

 

5 common plumbing problems in old homes

 

There are simply a ton of older homes in the Asheville area of Western North Carolina, and it’s enough to keep an affordable Asheville plumber very busy. Over the years, your home's plumbing systems may have been slowly deteriorating. That's why you should check the condition of your plumbing fixtures regularly. This is especially true with older homes, where plumbing systems may be faulty. Whether it's a rusty pipe or a leaky faucet, you are likely to encounter many plumbing issues that require further repairs.

 

In older homes, plumbing issues are often the result of old fixtures that are no longer operating at maximum capacity. Some of these plumbing problems may be repairable, while others may require the entire fixture to be replaced. A professional plumbing inspection will provide you with a detailed assessment of the repairs that need to be made.

 

 

To help you with this check, here is a list of the most common plumbing problems in older homes:

 

1. Sewer line problems

 

This is one of the main sources of plumbing problems in older homes. Since the sewer lines are always wet, they attract tree roots that penetrate iron pipes. This makes it prone to cracking, causing a blockage. Instead of just waiting for wastewater to back up, you should schedule regular plumbing checks to move forward in resolving the problem.

In addition, there can be problems with the sewer line. This happens when the sewer line hangs down, obstructing the normal flow of the pipe. These stomachs are usually the result of soil erosion, foundation stability, or other natural factors. It can be difficult to monitor the development of these stomachs because the tubes are buried underground. As such, these issues usually don't get fixed for long and can be found in many older homes.

 

2. Drain problems

 

After many years of washing pipes with soapy water and soap, the sewage system in older homes is likely to be compromised. The amount of debris will gradually build up until the drain systems are left clogged and unusable.

 

These problems usually occur in kitchen and bathroom drains, where blockages often develop. Kitchen sinks are notorious for attracting grease and bits of food that clog the drain over time. Likewise, bathroom sink drains get clogged with bars of soap, or bits of food from brushing your teeth.

 

3. Aged Plumbing

 

Nothing lasts forever. In older homes, most plumbing fixtures were installed decades ago. If the house is very old, even the toughest fixtures are prone to wear and tear. Your plumbing systems have been exposed to the natural elements and can begin to corrode. At this point, you may begin to notice bothersome plumbing symptoms, such as water discoloration or low pressure.

 

When washing machines and valves in a home loosen, they begin to leak and give way to unpleasant odors. This also translates to higher utility bills. You can have such problems reported by a skilled plumber, who can find and fix these plumbing problems in older homes.

 

4. Inherited plumbing problems

 

If the home has been around for more than several decades, it has likely gone through different homeowners. Some of these owners may have occasionally made small plumbing repairs, such as using duct tape to fix a leaky pipe. When you buy an old home, you will unfortunately inherit these hobbyist repairs along with all their flaws.

You may not necessarily notice plumbing problems once you move in, but they will appear after some time. A plumber can diagnose hidden plumbing problems in older homes and raise any flags before buying.

 

5. Polybutylene Pipes

 

By definition, polybutylene is a form of plastic resin used in the manufacture of water pipes. These types of pipes were very common in older homes decades ago. In the past, these tubes were frequently used due to their affordability and ease of installation. Over the years, many problems arose with polybutylene tubes, which made them unbearable.

 

If your home is old, it probably still has these types of pipes, causing inefficient plumbing systems around your home. You will need the services of an experienced plumber to replace these old pipes throughout the home.

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