Common Plumbing Problems Affecting Older Homes

Posted by Hy-Pro Plumbing & Drain Cleaning on August 20/2015 | 0 Comments

Common Plumbing Problems

In many of Canada’s older towns and cities, there are plenty of homes that date back to the turn of the century. And no, we don’t mean the one that just happened 15 years ago. Homes that are 100 years old (or more) have a distinctive and distinguished style that sets them apart from their newer counter-parts. Built by trained contractors or local novices, these historic homes have an individual look and feel that many people prefer over the style found in cookie-cutter subdivisions. If you own a historic house, then you know that they also have a lot of plumbing problems that they don’t share with those houses built after the 1970s.

Today, in order to construct or do any major renovation to a home, you have to acquire a permit from the city. Issued according to the Building Code Act, these permits assure that your renovations and construction abide by industry standards set to ensure your safety. This hasn’t always been the case. If you go far enough back, there were no regulations that standardized construction. As long as a person had the land and the means, anyone could build a house. This also meant that many unprofessional landowners were building homes alongside their professional counterparts. Without appropriate training, these builders could make unusual or unsafe choices when wiring their electricity and laying their plumbing which will cause common plumbing problems in the long run.

Materials Used For Pipes

Over the years, the accepted materials used for plumbing has evolved. Naturally, these materials will decrease plumbing problems that are commonly encountered in older homes. Before the 70s, many homes used galvanized steel pipes. Though strong, this material isn’t known for its longevity. After decades of water pushing through, the inside of galvanized pipes tends to rust. Owners of historic homes will start to encounter water pressure issues as the rust clogs restrict water flow through the pipes.

While galvanized pipes inside the home can rust, sewer lines leading out of the home to the municipal sewer system can be clogged. Depending on how old your historic home is either clay or cast iron pipes were used. Time isn’t gentle to clay or cast iron pipes, as these materials are prone to corroding over time. Both kinds of pipes are susceptible to invading roots systems as well, especially those that have had nearly a century to grow. Strong roots combined with weakened pipes aren’t a good combination for the integrity of your sewer lines, which is why so many historic homes experience sewer line back-ups.

As a historic homeowner, you don’t have to live with poor water pressure while under the constant threat of a flood. Our expert plumbers have been trained to handle any kind of plumbing system, including those dating back to the turn of the century. By using state-of-the-art cameras to inspect your pipes and sewer lines, our trained plumbers can identify the type of materials used and where exactly the issue is situated. From there, they can determine what part of your pipes needs to be repaired or replaced. By using hydro flush technology, our staff can blast away the corroded material causing blockages in your pipes. Using trenchless technology, our plumbers can locate and replace aged sewer lines without unsettling your landscape or destroying your property.

Need Some Help?

There’s a way to solve even the worst problems caused by old building standards and inferior materials. If you’ve noticed lowered water pressure or have walked into a flooded basement, call us right away. We’re available whenever you need us to inspect your property and replace your out-dated plumbing. After you get in touch, you can get back to enjoying the comfort and style an older home can afford you.