Many buyers love the charm of an older home in an established neighborhood. But it is essential to weigh the pros and cons of these quaint homes and all of their possibly antiquated systems. One of the systems that can be hiding a lot of costly problems is the plumbing. With most of the pipes concealed in the walls, you need to know what you are getting into and the issues you might encounter shortly after moving into your new home. A plumbing inspection from a licensed plumber is essential before making an offer. Here are some of the items that your plumber will be looking for in an older house.
OLD PIPES
Galvanized pipe was common in the 60s. This pipe is made of iron and has a zinc coating. After decades of use, the coating degrades, and the iron pipe begins to rust. This issue can lead to many complications, from leaking water lines and costly water damage to contamination of your drinking water. Depending on the age and condition of galvanized pipes, you could be looking at a whole-home repiping in the next few years.
Homes built between 1970 and 1990 could contain polybutylene piping. This plastic pipe is known to react poorly to the oxidants in water and break down faster than the metal pipes it was designed to replace. The pipe often becomes brittle, cracks, or begins flaking. All of these issues will lead to water leaks and costly damage to your new home. If your plumbing inspector located poly piping, you could be looking at a whole-home repiping project in your future.
An OUTDOOR ISSUE
There can also be some costly plumbing issues hiding under the lawn of your new home. Old sewer lines can become damaged by the roots on those beautiful trees that made you fall in love with this particular older home. As the roots grow around the pipes, they eventually exert enough pressure for the sewer line to crack. Once the line is leaking water and raw sewage, the roots grow exceptionally. And unfortunately, they usually grow right inside the pipe to create a nasty blockage.
When considering an older home, it is wise to invest in a sewer line inspection. Your licensed plumber will deploy a tiny waterproof camera to check for damage or blockages. It is money well spent to know that the house’s sewer lines are undamaged and fully functional.
OLD FIXTURES
While those old faucets look so charming and ornamental, they could be a ticking time bomb. You never know when the old washers, seals, and valves are going to fail. When they do, you could be facing significant water damage to your home and your belongings. There could even be small leaks that you cannot see. The water from small fixture leaks commonly runs back down the water lines and promotes mold and mildew growth in the walls and floors of older homes. If you notice a musty smell, be sure to point it out to your plumbing inspector before making an offer on the house.
Anything Is Fixable
If you have your heart set on a specific home, never give up because of a few plumbing issues. The team at Metroplex Leak & Locate is just a phone call away. But you need to know about all of the existing problems before making an offer on the house. It will ensure that the cost of the necessary repairs is reflected in the price of the home. Call (214) 388-4525 to request a detailed plumbing inspection for any older home you are thinking about purchasing.
