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Common Plumbing Issues in Old Houses

When buying an old house, one of the things you have to check is the plumbing system. Indeed, an old wallpaper border or an ugly tile can be unappealing. However, plumbing that has ceased to properly work or outdated can cause you major headaches down the line.  

If you don’t want to suffer in the future because of a faulty plumbing system, you have to know the common plumbing issues that occur in old homes. If you do so, you will know when to hire professional plumbers in your area to fix the problems.  

Leak Repairs 

Old pipes typically have joints that fail. Oftentimes, the pipe itself can establish dangerous wear or can break. Fixtures and faucets have washers and other components that wear out. The leaks that these issues can cause are not a joke because they can result in mildew and mold, belongings lost to water damage, or structural damage.  

Pipe Clogs 

If you purchase a house that is 50-years old and still has most of its original plumbing, you should expect that a lot of things have gone down the toilet and drain. A couple of these things should not have gone down the sink. This includes cooking grease, starches, and more. Thus, an excellent drain cleaning can make your drains flow like new. Also, you know that things get flushed even though you shouldn’t. This is particularly true if you’ve got a baby. Luckily, a professional plumber can help you with clogs in your toilet or drains. 

Pipe Replacement 

Oftentimes, old houses utilize outdated pipes. Because of this, you might require a water line replacement. Though they aren’t common today, lead pipe still crops up in a couple of older houses. In addition to that, the galvanized pipes that replaced lead were also susceptible to corrosion and result in discolored water. Galvanized pipes were replaced with Polybutylene pipes in the 90s. However, it had an issue as well. It tends to break down if exposed to water for a long period. Of course, the main purpose of these pipes is to hold water. So, if you’ve got old pipes, make sure you replace them.  

Outdoor Plumbing Problems 

A couple of homeowners are meticulous about maintaining the plumbing inside their house. However, they often forget about maintaining their outdoor features. One of the things you have to consider for your outdoor plumbing is the sewer. A professional plumber can offer a sewer cleaning service that can tackle clogs that accumulate over the years. Aside from that, you can also hire a professional plumber for a sewer inspection.  

Other Common Issues 

Everything goes out of date. The items that you purchased many years ago will not work as well as they used to. Oftentimes, they might even stop working altogether. Because of this, you might have to call a professional plumber if you need a fixture replacement or repair, a new dishwasher pipe, garbage disposal replacement or repair, sump pump repair, or any other plumbing issues you might have in your old house.