The Six Common Plumbing Problems in Old Homes

Although older homes carry a certain charm and can be more budget-friendly than newer homes, there are many common plumbing problems in old homes that owners should be aware of. 

Whether you're contemplating buying an older home or have been living in your home for a few decades, it's essential to be aware of these common plumbing issues, from outdated pipes to sewer line issues, outdated fixtures, and more. 

Once you've identified these potential problems, contacting your local Winnipeg plumbing contractors can set your older home straight! 

1. Outdated Pipes

Homes 30 years or older often use outdated pipes that no longer comply with current plumbing codes. Some examples of these defective materials include: 

• Lead: Lead can be highly toxic when consumed, and our bodies don't have a natural ability to purge this deadly toxin. Lead may cause aches and pains, fatigue, constipation, and even affect brain development, contribute to hypertension, anemia, and reduce fertility. 
• Galvanized steel: For many homes, galvanized steel became a replacement when lead was banned. Unfortunately, galvanized steel has a thick coating of zinc. While designed to protect your pipes, this zinc coating can corrode and contaminate your drinking water. 
• Polybutylene: After discovering the dangers of lead and galvanized steel, polybutylene pipes became the replacement. Many homes built in the 1980s and 1990s utilized polybutylene. However, these plastic pipes don't react favourably with oxidants in many municipal water lines. 

If your home is 30 years or older, you will want professional plumbers to check your pipes and replace them immediately if they are lead, galvanized steel, or polybutylene. Besides affecting your home's performance, old pipes can also cause temporary and permanent health conditions. 

2. Faulty Sewer Lines

Faulty sewer lines are also another common plumbing issue for older homes. When your sewer lines malfunction, they can back up into your plumbing system, causing clogs and other messes. Remodeling, a shifting foundation, sediment build-ups, and tree roots can also cause faulty sewer lines. 

Standard faulty sewer lines signs include: 

• An unpleasant odour in your home—such as rotten eggs
• Water puddles or damaged patches in your yard when it hasn't rained recently 
• Nasty wastewater inside your home 
• Indications of a blocked or clogged sewer line, such as your water lines slowly draining

In addition to faulty sewer lines emitting nasty odours, they can also cause adverse health risks. Foul smells may mean you have a sewer gas leak that can generate hydrogen sulfide poisoning. A sewer gas leak is also very flammable and must be dealt with immediately. 

3. Root Intrusion

Root intrusion is another common plumbing problem in old homes. Root intrusion may occur when shrubs or trees in your yard use moisture collected from your sewer lines. 

Essentially a tree's root system will suck up moisture from your sewer lines and will start expanding its root systems around and sometimes even inside your line. Root intrusion can cause dangerous clogs and sewage leaks. 

4. Old Fixtures and Their Connections 

Many people choose to buy or rent an old home due to its vintage flare. Historic homes often have unique faucets, sinks, showers, and other fixtures that you simply won't find in modern homes. However, while these features are special, they can also cause severe plumbing issues. 

Any fixture is susceptible to wear and tear and corrosion. For example, a worn-down faucet or sink can result in low water pressure and even leaks after a while. In addition to making washing dishes harder, your home will face potential water damage or more extensive plumbing repairs. 

Signs you'll need to replace outdated fixtures include: 

• Your showers, tubs, or sinks have broken or cracked knobs 
• You're noticing leaks 
• You have low or blocked water pressure

5. You Have Bellied Lines

Your home is constantly shifting and settling, which can affect the pipes often installed below your home. As your house starts to shift, so too can your pipes. They sometimes create downwards slopes known as "bellied lines" as they shift, and problems bellied lines can cause include: 

• Restricting or completely blocking water flow or creating leaks 
• For sewer and drain lines, causing toxic wastes to leech into your home or yard
• Creating slab leaks—water entering your house's foundation, causing water damages

Unfortunately, many homeowners don't realise they have bellied lines until the damage is severe. However, some signs to look for indicate bellied lines, including nasty odours, green spots forming in your yards, recurrent backups, and slow drains. 

6. Bad Repairs and Installations 

Older homes typically have their fair share of problems which may require new repairs and new remodeling installations. An insufficient house repair or installation can significantly hamper an old home's performance ability. 

Most bad repair and installation issues don't manifest overnight. Even if you're careful about who you hire to do your plumbing, the fixtures you use, and regularly maintaining your home, the same isn't always true of the previous owners. 

A historic or old home might have its fair share of owners throughout the years, and sometimes an owner might hire an unqualified plumber or attempt to repair their plumbing issues themselves. Common plumbing issues of bad repairs and installations include: 

• Faulty installed faucets, sinks, or other fixtures 
• Incorrectly sloped showers 
• Unsafe appliances such as water heaters
• Plumbing repairs that only temporarily resolve an issue

If an improper repair or installation is causing your old home to have plumbing issues, you'll want qualified plumbers to handle the problem. Our team at King's Services can help by diagnosing and recommending the proper repair or replacement options. 

Our Professional Plumbers Can Help

Many people buy older homes due to their charm and antique fixtures. Additionally, older homes are sometimes cheaper than modern homes on the market. However, the one major drawback with older homes is that they’re more susceptible to plumbing issues. 

Luckily, when you work with King's Services, you can transform your old home into a dream home. Know the answers to homeowners' most common plumbing questions, including the six most common plumbing problems in old homes, when you call us at 204-815-5878!