Plumbing and older homes combined together cause stress for many homeowners, and for good reason. Houses constructed several decades ago often suffer from toxic pipe materials and code violations in their plumbing systems. These reasons and more are why professionals in Modesto, CA should inspect a historic home’s plumbing before they’re put on the market.
Faulty pipe materials
Homes built prior to the 1970s commonly have pipes that are prone to breaking down. Your local plumber should inspect a historic home’s plumbing for signs of dangerous materials like polybutylene pipes. They have since been outlawed because polybutylene corrodes when it comes into contact with the chlorine in household cleaners.
Homeowners should also watch out for black ABS pipes. You’ll find ABS in the pipes that carry waste out of the home. As with polybutylene piping, plumbers are no longer allowed to install ABS pipes because they cause leaks and sudden failure. A plumber from Modesto, CA can identify these materials and replace them with non-corrosive pipes.
Code violations
Housing regulations have changed over the years, yet the pipes in older homes stay the same. Chances are, many houses on the market are hiding code violations behind their walls. Homeowners should find and fix these violations before moving in because older plumbing systems are not as safe compared to newer configurations. A professional can inspect the plumbing in older homes for you and replace outdated fixtures if necessary.
Modified plumbing systems
When you move into an older house, keep in mind that several other families likely lived there before you did. Plumbing issues are bound to have happened at some point, and previous homeowners might’ve decided to take measures into their own hands instead of calling in a professional. This is why old homes in Modesto, CA often have plumbing systems with questionable modifications.
It’s crucial for professionals to inspect a historic home’s plumbing because pipes that fall into unskilled hands suffer from hack jobs that do more harm than good. Contractors have the expertise to detect faulty plumbing in older homes and restore pipes so they function properly.
Contamination and low pressure
Those who live in older homes learn the hard way that pipes don’t last forever. This is especially true for galvanized pipes. Commonly installed before the turn of the century, galvanized pipes are made with steel that’s been dipped in a zinc coating to help prevent corrosion. After the zinc wears off, galvanized pipes corrode inside and shrink in diameter.
Plumbers replace galvanized pipes because the rust contaminates your drinking water and causes metal poisoning over time. Rust that accumulates in the pipes will hinder water flow, and you’ll gradually begin to see lower pressure coming out of the faucets. Call your local plumber if you notice discolored water and rust-stained appliances.
Most plumbing issues don’t make themselves known to the untrained eye. Homeowners too often assume they can save money and inspect older houses in Modesto, CA on their own. Problems are inevitable when left unchecked, and you’ll have to pay for it later. Before you move into an older home, schedule an inspection with the plumbers at Alvarado Pumping Septic Service to ensure the system is in good shape.