Old houses are often attractive to buyers because they lack the cookie-cutter look many of today’s homes have and the older homes tend to have a little more character. But with that character comes a special set of plumbing problems that owners of modern homes don’t have to face.
1.) Old Pipes
Throughout the decades, the pipes used in plumbing have changed drastically. Up until the early 1970s, galvanized steel pipes were used. While galvanized steel pipes were strong, they began to corrode over time. Further, rust built up in these pipes, restricting the flow of water. Most galvanized steel pipes had a lifespan of about 40 years. From the late 1970s to 1995, polybutylene pipes became the standard. Polybutylene was manufactured from a plastic resin and became popular because of its low pricing. But the polybutylene pipes had a fatal flaw; they tended to rupture, causing massive water damage. The problem became so bad that a class action lawsuit was filed against the manufacturer. Polybutylene is no longer authorized in the plumbing code.
2.) Old Repairs
The idea of doing-it-yourself is always attractive because it can save a homeowner a lot of money. There’s also the pride that comes with putting your own blood, sweat and tears into a home repair project. The problem is that many homeowners tend to do a bad job when it comes to plumbing work. They improperly install fixtures and pipes, use the wrong materials and take shortcuts to get the job done faster. The problem is compounded in older homes that had many owners throughout its life. Not all homeowners make bad repairs, though. Some can do work on par with a licensed plumber. But, generally speaking, it’s best to leave installations and repairs to the professionals at Benicia Plumbing.
3.) Sewer Line Issues
The line that runs from the house to the municipal sewer line belongs to the homeowner and is the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain.
Over time, these sewer lines can become damaged due to a variety of environmental factors. Tree roots are always a big concern because they can spread far from the tree, wrap around the line and actually crush it. Further, some of those lines were made from clay, which is especially prone to tree root damage. Plastic pipes are more durable but can still succumb to aggressive tree roots.
About Benicia Plumbing
At Benicia Plumbing, Inc., we’ve been serving our clients since 1975 and always looking to utilize the latest technology in today’s plumbing world. By providing complete plumbing services to businesses, industry, homebuilders and homeowners throughout the northern California Bay Area, we’ve been able to stay at the forefront of this industry and succeed at a high level.
Sources: Ask.com and Forbes
