Buying an old home can be quite an adventure. You’re likely going to spend quite a bit of money on repairs and renovations. But at the end of the day, it’s a labor of love. All of your hard work will come together into a beautiful, completely unique home that you can call your own. You already know an old home may contain a number of problems concealed behind walls and floors. But do you know exactly what plumbing repairs are needed?
Dated Plumbing Materials
A home built before 1990 likely uses plumbing pipes made with materials no longer supported by U.S. building codes. But if the home was renovated sometime after then, the pipes could be relatively new and likely a surprise for a fixer-upper.
When performing any type of plumbing repairs, watch out for:
- Lead – Commonly used for sewer lines and water main lines, lead is the oldest plumbing pipe material on the market. Lead is also highly toxic, leading to joint and gastrointestinal pain, irritability, and memory loss. The U.S. restricted the use of lead back in the 1920s, but it was never banned completely until the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1986.
- Galvanized – Often used in homes built before the 1960s, galvanized pipe is made of iron and coated with a thin layer of zinc. In time, the zinc begins to erode, leaving the galvanized iron pipe susceptible to corrosion and breakage. Galvanized pipes can last 60+ years, but that time is coming to an end for most homes.
Failing Sewer Lines
Your home’s sewer line is buried deep underground. As such, few homeowners think about their sewer line until there’s a problem. When there is a problem, you’ll surely know it. The smell of sewage and the standing wastewater is overwhelming.
In an old home, built before modern appliances, a sewer line often sees a lot of heavy use. Furthermore, an old home’s sewer line can be damaged due to shifting or overgrown tree roots.
Outdated Plumbing Fixtures
There is no plumbing fixture in the world capable of lasting forever. An old home will likely have an old faucet, showerhead, and supply line. These systems are likely nearing their end. As corrosion and general wear and tear do their damage, you’ll experience restricted water flow and inefficiency.
Thankfully, replacing old fixtures is relatively simple. You can hire an experienced plumber to easily replace the fixtures in your bathroom or kitchen.
If you have recently purchased a fixer-upper and need a hand with the plumbing repairs, call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of NE Dallas. You can reach us for top-rated plumbing repairs and maintenance at 210-876-1629!
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