Old House Plumbing Problems

Mississauga, Ontario, is known for some of its magnificent century heritage houses oozing with character. Although modern houses are on the market, there are still people who prefer buying older homes. Old houses are often made from top quality materials, elegant wood moulding, and have strong hardwood floors or attractive stained glass windows that would cost a fortune today.

However, not all old houses stand the test of time. Some of their components, especially the plumbing system, can deteriorate after years of use. They become antiquated, and pipes and fixtures may be corroded or cracked. This could result in several plumbing problems.

If you have your sight set on buying a beautiful old house, here are some common plumbing problems to look out for:

• Galvanized Pipes – Most houses that were built in 1960 or earlier used galvanized pipes in the plumbing system. These gray metal pipes last about 40 years. Although recent owners might have replaced old pipes, they may have only replaced the clogged and rusty ones and not the entire piping system. This may mean that there are still corroded, galvanized pipes in your home. An easy way to check them is to turn on hot water and observe if the pressure is low. If the water pressure is, indeed, low, examine whether the plumbing system still has old galvanized pipes. Hot water pipes are usually the first ones to rust and reduce the water pressure.
• Invisible Leaks – The piping line that connects from your property to the water line is your responsibility. When a leaky pipe goes unnoticed, it can be costly for a property owner. If you think there is an unseen leak, call a licensed plumber to assess the entire plumbing system on your property.
• Damaged Sewer Line – Sewer line damage is major plumbing issue in an old house. It could be expensive to fix, smelly, and puts the health of your family at risk. To check for potential damage, watch for clogged drains, unpleasant odour, unusually high water bill, and mould growth. If you suspect a deteriorated sewer line, turn off the main water line.

Buying an old house can be a good investment, but its antiquated plumbing might be an unanticipated additional repair. A thorough inspection of the entire house is necessary to make a wise choice.

Call a licensed plumbing contractor like Abbey Plumbing & Mechanical at (905) 822-0521 to inspect and deal with both minor and major plumbing issues. Talk to our expert plumbers and learn more about our services.