Common Plumbing Issues in Older Homes

Older homes appeal to some as a way to get something that is either rare or too costly to include in modern construction, such as certain charm and character. Indeed, that is the compelling reason why many first-time homebuyers are going for historic homes—with their stories to back them up, even if it means more maintenance.

Beneath it all—Behind the aesthetic appeal of ornate moldings and plaster walls—these homes usually hide plumbing issues that might be from minor inconveniences to major threats. For those who want to buy an older home, understanding common plumbing problems is important and how best to deal with them in making an informed decision.

6 Common Plumbing Problems in Older Homes

Installation Problems

Among the major problems which old homes experience is improper installation of pipes. Such an improper installation particularly in cases where unlicensed persons carry out the installation, and either use old equipment and material, or combine materials which are incompatible, leads to a set of problems. Stripped bolts, loose connections, and incorrect layouts can result in permanently disrupted water system flow.

Common Installation Mistakes

• Unlicensed installation

• Use of wrong pipe materials

• Combining incompatible materials

• Over-tightened fixtures

• Installing pipes with the water running

These issues will do nothing but cause the plumbing system to fail and maybe even generate more negative effects if it is postponed for repair.

Pipe Bellies

Over time, the settlement and shifting of the house cause some of the pipes to sag, leading to what is commonly referred to as pipe bellies. This negative slope is causing the disruption of the water flow by creating clogs, leaks, and sediment build-up. If you're experiencing slow drains that won't clear, backups, or green patches in your yard, this could likely be from pipe bellies, which you will want to have fixed right away to prevent further damages.

Outdated Materials

A good number of the older homes have plumbing materials that either are not in use anymore because they have been phased out or have been outlawed due to safety concerns. The homes built before the 1990s are especially at risk of having old but not safe plumbing systems.

The common types of old pipes used in plumbing:

Lead Pipes- Main Sewer and Water Lines

Galvanized Steel Pipes- Used a lot In 1960s

Polybutylene pipes – once a popular replacement for copper, now known to fail

If any of these materials are in your home, you may want to engage a professional plumber to replace.

Bad Repairs

Older homes have often been repaired over the years by very many people, not all of whom were professionals. From DIY repairs by the owner to unlicensed plumber, such repairs can be the cause of many problems, from unsecured pipes to incorrectly sloped showers. While some can be more of a nuisance than a danger, many can be serious and should be corrected by a professional.

Sewer Line Problems and Root Intrusion

Existing tree root intruders can lead to improper sewer lines in older homes. Over time, sewer lines may wear out with small leaks or blockages. A tree or bush near it will want to extend its root into a pipe with that moisture, hence making it worse more and more. With time, the roots can cause trouble with serious plumbing which includes clogging and even breaking it.

Poor Draining

Slow-draining pipes are pretty common in older homes; much of the time, pipe bellies are at fault. This, however, may not be the case. There could be many other causes for slow draining from your sinks and showers.

First is usually a blocked vent stack, designed to help maintain air pressure in your plumbing system. More likely, this has been going on for years with soap residue, scum, and other debris collecting somewhere in the pipes. Another could be the root intrusion in the pipes, especially if your house has mature trees around.

The diagnosis of the reason for slow drainage will require inviting a plumber for a detailed inspection.

Does an Older Home's Plumbing Need to Be Replaced?

Whether or not you have to replace the plumbing in an old home will depend on a number of variables, among them: just how old that plumbing really is, how well it has been maintained, and possible renos which would have happened that would have caused the original setup to be changed. A few older plumbing systems perform well for around half a century, but increasingly, appliances and fixtures nowadays require a system with greater capacity, potentially leading to leaks and all manner of problems.

The best thing to do is have the entire plumbing system carefully looked over by a plumber with experience in these matters. It is bound to help in pointing out some of the potential problems that need to be taken care of in order not to incur larger damages in the future.