The plumbing of a house is very important and can play a big role in decision making of the home you decide to purchase or not, even more so when it is a historic home.  In earlier years, homes had piping that today we have learned causes a lot of issues and could become something that turns out to be very expensive.  In this blog, we will address different issues you can face with the pipes and plumbing in an older or historic home.

These were commonly used in American houses built before the 1960's.  Galvanized pipes are made from iron and coated in Zinc.  Over time, the Zinc erodes, leading to corrosion and breakages.  Once the pipes are compromised, both the water pressure and quality deteriorate.  Often the only solution is to replace the damaged section of piping.

These were common in homes built from the late 70's to early 90's due mainly to their affordability.  However, these pipes have a tendency to react with oxidants in water over time, causing them to weaken and fail.

When you purchase an old home, you are basically inheriting it from one or more previous owners.  The quality of earlier repairs and plumbing work can therefore be a variable.  Due to previous owners avoiding the expense of employing a professional plumber, it is not unusual to discover inadequate or bungled plumbing that will require more permanent solutions.

The earth underneath houses are rarely completely static.  Over time, the shifting can cause the home's pipes to buckle or bow.  These bends are know as "pipe bellies" and can interrupt the flow of water causing blockages.  Plumbers use video inspection technology to diagnose these kinds of problems.  When a bellied sewer pipe has the potential to worsen, immediate repairs are often warranted.  Ignoring this issue can lead to wastewater backing up into the home, which can cause serious and costly damage to interiors.

Original fixtures such as faucets, valves, and handles are often compromised in an old house, due to years of wear.  This can result in leaks, bad smells, and inflated utility bills.  Often the only solution is to replace the worn fixtures.

With all that considered, at the end of the day you have to love and appreciate older homes with all the issues that can arise.

If you suspect you have any of these issues in your home, you should contact us to access the situation.  The professional plumbers at Duncan Plumbing have the experience and tools to help.  Even if you are not experiencing plumbing problems, it's smart to schedule a diagnostic appointment to access the condition of your existing plumbing system.  Contact us today at 972-937-0040.