The Problem With Plumbing In Old Homes: Times For Plumbing Repair | Atlanta, GA
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Older homes are appealing for a variety of reasons. As an owner of an older home, you may be no stranger to faults and malfunctions in the home. The plumbing system in an older home is much more likely to have issues than a home that was built in the last 15 to 20 years. If you own a home older than 25 years of age, chances are you will need to put some serious work into that home to keep it up and running. Preventive maintenance and regular plumbing repair is the best way to prepare yourself and your home for success. If you live in or around the Atlanta, GA, area, contact the staff at Peach Plumbing & Drain for all your plumbing needs.
Knowing what to look for and hiring a plumber for regular plumbing maintenance can greatly reduce the intensity and number of malfunctions you experience as it pertains to your home’s plumbing system. Older homes typically have a multitude of underlying issues that must be addressed by the homeowners in a timely fashion. The sooner you address these issues the less damage will occur because of these problems.
What Plumbing Issues to Look for in an Old Home
Aged Piping
Not all piping is created equally, certain types of materials last longer than others. This is especially true for galvanized piping. If your pipes have been there since before 1960 or your pipes are galvanized, you should have a professional plumbing repair provider repipe your home.
Older homes typically have an issue with galvanized pipes. Galvanized pipes were the most used piping materials before 1960. Therefore, homes that were built before then often have this issue. If you are buying or living in an old home, you may want to inquire about the plumbing system and pipe situation. If the pipes are galvanized, you may want to request a re-piping before purchasing the home. If you have already purchased a home with galvanized pipes, changing the pipes out could increase the value of your home exponentially.
Galvanized steel pipes, which were common before the ’60s, are coated with zinc to prevent rusting and corrosion. Galvanized steel pipes were seen as a better alternative to iron and lead pipes in the water supply system. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until years later that it was discovered that prolonged exposure to water could lead to corrosion and rusting of galvanized steel pipes. This could lead to contamination and other issues with your water supply system and will require an emergency plumbing service to use it safely.
Shifty Piping
Houses tend to shift as they get older. Gravity, elements, and just normal wear and tear can make a house shift extensively over time. This gradual shifting of the house will eventually cause appliances and fixtures in the home to shift with it. If pipes have shifted out of place it can cause serious problems for the entire plumbing system. When accounting for what work needs to be done around the house for regular upkeep, be sure to include plumbing repair for shifting pipes.
Shifting pipes can lead to leaks, contamination, and an overall misalignment of the property. Pools, clogs, and blockages can accumulate as a result. This can lead to unsanitary plumbing conditions and other plumbing malfunctions. If you live in or around the Atlanta, GA, area, contact the staff at Peach Plumbing & Drain for all your repair and maintenance needs.
Lead In-Service Lines
As discussed previously galvanized iron and lead piping isn’t suitable for human use. Rust, lead, and other chemicals caused by these materials have been found to have adverse effects on the body. If your city or town has or has had lead line services, it could cause a large amount of iron to enter your water supply system during the repair and delivery process. To ensure this is not a problem you can have a professional plumbing repair provider perform an inspection in order to determine whether or not you have too much iron in your water.
Constant Clogging
In an older home it is important to keep an eye out for quirky problems. Many homes experience clogging issues, however, if it is happening more often than not, it could be an indication that there is a serious underlying cause that is generating this issue. Clogs can happen for a variety of reasons. Clogs should easily be alleviated with the help of a professional plumbing repair service. If regular plumbing repair and maintenance does not fix the plumbing issue, contact your local plumber to inspect your plumbing system and find the cause of this issue.
Over years of use, soap scum, waster, and other forms of debris will find their way down your drain and never leave. It is important to have a preventive maintenance plumbing service provider routinely clean and clear your drains. This can prevent constant clogging and drain issues from occurring in the first place.
The Benefits of Preventive Plumbing Repair and Maintenance
Preventive maintenance is the act of proactively caring for something. In this case that something would be the plumbing system. Professional preventive maintenance typically entails the inspection of plumbing fixtures and appliances, as well as the cleaning and maintenance of pipes. If any of the property’s fixtures or malfunctions are faulty in any way, your trusted professional plumber would be able to correct the issues using industry knowledge and experience.
The benefits of preventive maintenance include fewer malfunctions, longer-lasting appliances, efficient plumbing, and money saved on fewer repairs. Older homes will especially benefit from preventive maintenance due to all that an old home has been through. 30 plus years of plumbing grime and gunk can really add up and cause faults within the system. 30 plus years of wear and tear can make a plumbing system less efficient and more prone to malfunction. Preventive maintenance plumbing repair can greatly reduce these negatives and even turn your plumbing system around. Constant upkeep, repair, and replacement will ensure your plumbing system works like new all the time. If you live in or around the Atlanta, GA, area, and need professional plumbing repair, contact the staff at Peach Plumbing & Drain to schedule service today.