5 Common Plumbing Issues in Older Houses
Old homes have charm and character galore. However, what they give in sheer uniqueness they take with serious potential for hidden faults, plumbing being one of the most common problems in older homes. These properties require extra care and attention, which is why you need to know what some of the most common plumbing issues with old houses are. This way, you’ll know when to contact a plumbing professional in Anaheim Hills to help you.
What are common plumbing problems in old houses?
There’s no guarantee that your home’s going to have plumbing issues if it’s starting to show its years. Unfortunately, it’s very likely that it will, making it essential to gather more information about the most common problems old homes can develop with their plumbing systems. The best way to react is to react proactively and prevent serious damage. Pay attention to:
Outdated piping
If the home was built more than 30 years ago, there’s a strong possibility that the materials used for piping are defective today. In fact, a vast majority of homes constructed before 1990 most likely have lead or galvanized pipes.
Lead is extremely dangerous and potentially toxic to health and safety, while galvanized steel is prone to corrosion due to a layer of zinc used to protect the pipes. Finally, polybutylene was introduced as a replacement for these materials. However, this material reacts poorly with chemicals present in municipal water systems, making it prone to cracks and leaks.
Pipe bellies
Pipes located underneath a home, either encased within a concrete slab or buried at a certain depth in the ground sustain wear and tear due to the gradual shifting and movement of a property. As the piping shifts down, negative slopes, or bellies, appear. This restricts water flow, creating pools where sediment and water accumulate. Over time, serious stoppages and leaks can develop, making this a very common plumbing problem with old homes.
Botched repairs
The older the home, the more plumbing problems it develops. All these issues require immediate attention and repair. However, not all plumbers are equally proficient and skilled. This means that some problems with plumbing in old homes happen because of a bad or botched repair. Also, DIY plumbing is also one of the biggest culprits for various issues, creating a good basis for problems to simply keep piling up over the years.
Old fixtures
Some of the fixtures can simply be too old and too worn out to work properly. Sometimes, this will only cause minor problems, such as dripping, while at other times it will cause major concerns such as big leaks and even flooding. Also, clogs are extremely frequent in older homes, and it’s all because of old and outdated fixtures.
Poor installation
Finally, things could’ve been wrong in an old home from the very beginning. Improper plumbing installation is a serious matter that will only continue to cause problems as the years go by. Poor connections, improper equipment for installation, and poor positioning of pipes is a huge issue that requires top-to-bottom revamp of the entire plumbing system to get it up and running properly again.
Who are the most reputable pros for different plumbing issues in Anaheim Hills?
Living in an older home or purchasing a home that’s seen many years requires you to be familiar with some of the problems you’re expected to find. However, don’t stop there and also inform yourself about the biggest upcoming innovations in plumbing. This way, you’ll know which plumbing upgrades to implement into your home and how to make your plumbing more environmentally friendly.
However, all this can be daunting for the uninitiated, which is why you should reach out to OneStop Plumbers and allow us to help you. We’re here to detect and repair any problems you have in your home and provide advice on how to best upgrade your plumbing system. It makes no difference if your home is near Yorba Regional Park or another location in or near Anaheim Hills, we’re here for you. Give us a call, tell us what you need, and leave it to us!