It is true that the newer the home, the fewer problems you will run into. That is because everything is in generally good condition, meaning that all its fixtures are performing like they are supposed to!

Unfortunately, as time passes, problems will start to pop up—with the most common problem stemming from its internal plumbing. This is because, in many cases, the inner workings of plumbing are generally overlooked in terms of maintenance! Because it is out of sight, many forget that these need to be checked and worked on too, despite being an integral part of any house.

That being said, if you are interested in purchasing an older home, knowing the common issues you’ll need to handle can go a long way to ensure that nothing goes wrong while you’re staying in it. Here are the common plumbing problems you may face with old pipes:

1) Old Pipes

As safety regulations change over the years, old homes end up with materials that are becoming more and more obsolete. The same can be said about the pipes, where the materials composing pipe—along with the fixtures that support it—become outdated. This can lead to issues such as contaminated water. Other materials, like galvanized steel, may end up rusting, dirtying the water, and putting the health of the family at risk.

2) Shifted Pipelines

The earth beneath your feet every so slightly shifts over time, even if it does not look like it. This is because of various things, such as the weight of the home as it slowly presses against the earth, along with the fact that the earth itself is not exactly sitting still! Regardless, the pipes beneath can easily be pushed by the shifting of the earth around it, changing the alignment and leading to problems like broken pipes. This can allow contaminants to enter the water or make it hard for waste to flow away from home.

3) Outdated Fixtures

Fixtures like faucets, taps, and connections do not last forever. They get loose—and after a while, they will start leaking everywhere. This is especially true with fixtures made of materials like copper and brass, where they easily get loose and leak.

Connections can also fail, causing water to leak even more and stop water from reaching certain places of the home. Combined, all these problems can be costly in terms of water waste, not to mention a drop in water pressure.

4) Obsolete Sewer Lines

Old sewer lines are something that no homeowner ever wants to deal with. Problems that arise from obsolete sewer lines include the smell entering the home and fixtures like toilets not working properly. Also, they are not really compatible with modern appliances like dishwashers—meaning that if they have to deal with these types of installations, they will not be able to handle the extra volume of water!

Conclusion

These problems are real and do exist, especially with older homes. For that reason, it is always vital that you contact a plumber to check a home’s plumbing if you are planning to buy it. This way, any problems can quickly be detected—allowing you to plan your course of action to avoid further problems down the line.

Is your house too old and facing numerous issues with its plumbing system? Emergency Plumbing & Heating Company has licensed contractors that provide 24/7 plumbing repair and installation services throughout North America. If you need plumbing services to check your home’s plumbing, contact us today!