No matter what your cozy home looks like, plumbing is essential to any home. However, older homes often require different care than new pipes.
Four Tips for Taking Care of Old Pipes
In our hometown of Louisville, many homebuyers choose to renovate and revitalize old homes. Old Louisville, Butchertown, Germantown, Clifton and many other neighborhoods in the city are known for their charming old homes with character and rich history. But vintage plumbing also comes with charm.
We've put together some tips for taking care of old plumbing and some important things to consider when buying an old home.
What to expect from old home plumbing
Clay pipe, cast iron, and galvanized steel are common in older homes that have not been restored with new pipe.
Clay pipe was used from the 1800's through the early 1900's, a date that dates back many homes in Old Louisville. Unfortunately, these pipes are notorious for cracking over time and are heavy, which can result in a rupture at one of their many joints.
Cast iron pipes have also been around for 80-100 years and were in use until about 1975 .
Not surprisingly, these pipes fail easily due to rust. But the damage can be difficult to see because pipes rust from the inside out.
Until the 1950s, galvanized steel pipes were used, coated with zinc to combat rust. Unfortunately, the coating will wear off over time and these pipes will also shut down when they rust.
Fortunately, PVC and ABS plastic pipe has become the new standard for domestic plumbing, but older homes that have not been redone are likely to have I didn't win this kind of whistle.
This means that you should take precautions with the plumbing in your older home and look for damage and deterioration to fix it as soon as possible.
Tips for Older Plumbing Maintenance
Avoid Do Drain Cleaners Chemicals - Clogged drains happen in every home, and today many people use chemical drain cleaners purchased at local supermarkets or grocery stores. However, in older homes, chemical cleaning products can be a recipe for disaster. Chemical drain cleaners cause corrosion in non-plastic pipes and can corrode the pipe over time with prolonged use. Instead, use a snake to unclog the clog or call a plumber.
Look for signs of leaks: Leaking pipes often mean there is corrosion or damage somewhere along the line. Signs that you have a leak include leaking faucets, wet cabinets, and even warping in the walls and floor. If you notice any of these things, call a plumber right away. This may go without saying in any home, but in an older home, a minor damage can quickly become a major problem.
Knowing where the main shut-off valve and sewer valve are: in an emergency or simply to make a minor repair, it's important know where the main shut off valve and waste water valve are located.
Newer homes often have these valves in easy-to-access locations in the basement or utility room. These valves in older homes, on the other hand, may not be intuitive to find. Even when a home has been renovated or refinished, valves can still be in hard-to-reach places.
Protect your pipes in cold weather: Old pipes that have already started to deteriorate are more likely to fail in freezing conditions. If it's cold, take steps to protect your pipes.
Insulating pipes is an obvious precaution, but you can also open cabinets that hide pipes to keep them warm. Also, turning on faucets to keep water flowing can prevent water from freezing in pipes.
If you're having plumbing problems in your old home, the safest solution is to hire a professional plumber . Small problems in older homes can become very large and costly. You can also prevent problems from occurring by replacing old plumbing if you decide to renovate an older home.
Earth Care plumbers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to assist with plumbing emergencies. Just dial 8337368835 OR book online at https://www.earthcarebrands.com/
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