5 Common Plumbing Issues Found in Old Homes

Old houses have character, which gives them a certain appeal to many homeowners, and often you will find a level of quality in construction that you can by no means fault. However, you can’t deny that with age the likelihood of something needing fixing will increase and you may find yourself facing unexpected expenses with problems arising with roofing, electrical, and yes, even plumbing!

Whether you’re living in an aged property or are planning to do so, you won’t want to be caught off guard with problems in your pipes. In this article, we will share five common plumbing issues you’ll likely encounter living in older homes and how you can remedy them: 

1. Outdated Fixtures

Older fixtures are usually made of better materials compared to modern counterparts. However, that doesn’t mean they’re meant to last. Eventually, erosion in the structure may begin to occur, and this is where the problems come in. 

Over time, you may notice that the handles will break, and washers and valves will start to deteriorate and cause nasty odours and leaks. If the house still has its old fixtures, you might want to replace them with modern features. If you want to maintain the rustic aesthetic of the property, you can always find something that will match the architecture of your home. 

2. Old Pipe Materials

If the house is built before the 1990s, the chances are that the plumbing pipes are made from materials that are no longer in compliance with the current building codes. Older homes usually feature three outdated pipes, such as lead, galvanised, and polybutylene. 

Identifying the pipe material isn’t easy, and this calls for professional help. Our plumbers at Fantastic Plumbing will help assess the state of your pipes and determine whether or not it’s time for a replacement. 

3. Sewer Line Issues

The thing with sewer lines is that they’re out of sight. Homeowners wouldn’t usually think about them until it fails, and you don’t want to deal with it when it does! The foul-smelling wastewater that can go up into your home isn’t something you want to happen, but that’s what can happen in an older house. 

Fret not; this can be treated by having our plumbers check your sewer lines to identify potential issues and address them right away before they let out the nasty scents!

4. Bad Repairs

Keep in mind that the current state of your house’s plumbing system goes as far as the plumbers who worked on them over the years. This essentially means that you’re at their mercy, and it’s likely that the old house has gone through large scale plumbing repairs in the past. If you want to avoid being caught by surprise due to past bad repairs, it’s best to contact a professional plumber to diagnose the repairs and make improvements if needed. 

5. Drain Problems

Many homes are plagued with accumulated soap, dirty water, and scum in the drains. Aside from that, the pipes in the kitchen and bathroom are vulnerable to clogging because the former occupants had likely flushed down many things before you moved in. For this reason, it’s crucial to check your sinks, toilets, and be mindful of any strange smells coming from anywhere and have them remedied right away before they become something bigger! 

Conclusion

Before you move into an old house, you must make sure that everything’s in order! Your plumbing system is an important part of the house, and you don’t want to encounter any issues only after moving in, right? Because of this, it’s an excellent idea to have a plumber check your pipes before you settle in. It’s always better to be safe than sorry! 

Our plumbers here at Fantastic Plumbing can help you with any blocked drains in Byron Bay or Ballina and the surrounding areas. We have a wide range of services to ensure that there are no leaks, and your home’s plumbing system is working correctly. Get in touch with us today to see how we can ensure a comfortable living environment for you and your family!