Sewer Issues in Older Homes
Older homes can have a unique charm to them. But these homes can also have plumbing problems that you cannot initially see. Depending on the year your home was built, it can be that your plumbing has reached the end of its usability. It also can mean that an amateur plumber installed the plumbing system and this proves to be problematic the longer time goes by. Here are some issues you may come across when dealing with an older home.
Old Pipes
All plumbing has a lifespan. From your fixtures to your waterlines, to your drains, and even your sewer lines. Depending on the material your pipes are made of will determine the lifespan. Copper pipes will last the longest from 60 to 80 years. Cast iron lines will last you around 50 to 65 years. Galvanized steel will last about 40 to 60 years, and polyvinyl chloride or PVC plastic will get you to 40 or 50 years. Lastly, PEX will last about 40 years.
As pipes increase in age, the joints on they can become loose which will result in a sagging, curved-shaped pipe. This is called “bellies”. Rust and materials can congregate in bellies and cause the pipe to clog. Sometimes the pressure of water flowing can provide enough force to push the water, but the worse the belly gets, the more water has to move upward along the curve causing less pressure and resulting in a major clog.
Problematic Pipe Material
Depending on when your pipes were installed, they could be made from the problematic material polybutylene. This material was cheap and usually installed during the 70s through the 90s. Even under normal conditions, these pipes will fail. If you are purchasing a new, older home, watch out for this type of plumbing. This material does not react well with the oxidants that live in our water. The oxidants tend to cause flaking within the pipes. Because of this, they will look like they are in great condition during your home inspection, but do not be fooled, they degrade faster than other materials, especially if you add chlorine or hot water to your lines.
Galvanized steel is another material we do not use anymore when installing plumbing into a home. They will however be used to repair an existing system. This material was used before the 1960s. In the 70s it was found that this material was corrosive as well. When galvanized steel starts to corrode, rust will build up within the line. Eventually, with enough rust, the line will start having pressure issues and even eventually be clogged.
Amateur Plumbing Installation
Depending on their budget, some people will try to save money by having an unlicensed plumber either install or repair their plumbing. Some have even decided to go DIY and do the work themselves. This can cause a multitude of mistakes that will affect the life expectancy of your plumbing. They may not know how to prevent corrosion when joining two different materials which can cause major issues down the road.
A professional plumber can help bring older homes up to code and do any necessary repairs to an older home. If you are worried about the life of your plumbing in your older home, contact a professional today.
We provide professional plumbing services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients throughout Southern Florida. We provide fast response time, competitive rates, and reliable service. Need A Plumber? Schedule an appointment today and call us at 954-445-6443 or use our contact form.
