Plumbing Problems in Old Homes: What You Need to Know

Old homes can be beautiful, they just don’t make them like they used to. And while beautiful and a good buy for prospective homeowners; they could be hiding some plumbing issues. There are a couple common issues that come up in older homes. 

Pipes

Pipes and their materials have gone through an evolution over the years. New materials are usually the “latest and greatest” until, a few years down the road they start to break down. The US Code no longer allows a few types of pipes.

The first and most dangerous on this list, is lead. Lead is extremely toxic, it can cause a lot of health issues especially in children. It is also very sneaky, as it cannot be smelt, seen, or tasted in water. People used to use lead pipes in water main and sewer lines. If your home has lead pipes, it is important to replace them immediately.

The next most common pipe that will need to be replaced is galvanized pipes. A galvanized pipe is made up of steel but has a zinc coating. As time goes on, that zinc coating breaks down. This causes the pipe to become extremely brittle and break. While it might not be toxic like lead is, it’s important to keep an eye on it. 

The last type of pipe to look out for is polybutylene. In its heyday, people thought that polybutylene might surpass copper pipes in terms of popularity. However, the material didn’t last extremely long. After a while the pipe would become brittle and ineffective. 

Pipe Bellies

Homes gradually settle into place as the years go on, while this is normal, it can create pipe bellies. A pipe belly happens when there is a negative slope as pipes shift down due to the home settling. Pipe bellies can cause restricted water flow, leaks, and clogs over time. 

Pipe Corrosion & Hard Water Build Up

As pipes age the more likely they are to have corrosion or hard water build up. Corrosion in pipes can cause leaks, and pipe failure. Corrosion may not be visible in concealed pipes, but here are the signs to watch out for:

• Discolored water, specifically yellow, green or brown
• Your water meter runs when no water is flowing 
• A rise in your water bill, even if your water usage has yet to increase. 
• On visible pipes you may see white, red or green discoloration on the pipes

Hard water can build up in pipes over time, while it may not cause the pipe to fail, it makes it less efficient. This indicates that the water contains a higher concentration of minerals compared to what is considered soft or ideal water. Hard water will build up on the outside and the inside of pipes. It can cause lowered water pressure and make it more likely for foreign objects to get caught in the pipes. 

Sewer Lines

As we have already discussed, sewer lines used to be made out of lead. Besides that there are other issues in older homes that can pop up. Modern appliances may force more water down the sewer line. This can cause them to eventually fail. Another common issue in older sewer lines is tree roots. As pipes age, they can just not be as strong as they once were. Tree roots love to get into sewer lines because they are wet. Tree roots in your pipes can cause blockages and broken sections of pipe. 

When sewers break down they can also release toxic sewer gasses. Even if its a small amount can be harmful to your health or is extremely flammable. If you smell sewer smells in your home it is important to immediately contact your local 1-Tom-Plumber.

Old Repairs 

While we hope repairs last forever, sometimes they don’t. That could be due to shoddy workmanship or it could be due to outdated materials that just don’t last as long as they should. If it was workmanship that wasn’t excellent, that means the repair is more likely to break down. This can cause leaks to reappear, pipes to burst or maybe even appliance failure. 

Final Thoughts

Old homes are certainly beautiful and unique. They are a great purchase for those who don’t want a cookie cutter house. However, they can come with their own set of plumbing issues that new homes might not have. When purchasing, or already living, in a new home make sure to watch out for these issues. If they pop up, give us a call at 1-Tom-Plumber.