Owners of older homes usually have to invest a lot of time and funds into the maintenance of their property. At some point along the way, these homeowners may find that their vintage home needs new plumbing. And none of them want to find this out the hard way, through some type of catastrophic failure along their water lines. Instead, you should be aware of the signs and symptoms of a home in dire need of new plumbing.
How to Tell When Your Plumbing Needs Replacement
Vintage homes have a lot of issues that may arise simply due to the ravages of time. Nothing will function forever, least of all your home’s plumbing system, without sometimes making big repairs. Let’s discuss the telltale signs and symptoms of aged and damaged plumbing that we see often in older homes in Atlanta.
Visible Signs of Damage
There should be some visible pipes somewhere in your home, perhaps in your basement, attic or crawlspace. Make a point to inspect these exposed pipes at least once a year. Check to see if the pipes show any of these signs of damage:
- Discoloration and/or staining
- Dimpling
- Cracking
- Flaking
All of these symptoms point toward corrosion – which is a big problem.
Sporadic but Frequent Leaks
Even if the leaks are small and easily repaired, your home needs new plumbing if you are experiencing frequent leaks along your water lines. Damaged and leaky pipes will only become more damaged over time, which can result in outcomes much more problematic than a series of tiny leaks, like flooding and extensive property damage.
The Plumbing is Simply Old
No plumbing material – except perhaps for PVC – will withstand the tests of time forever, so it helps to have an idea regarding the longevity of the different materials used in creating pipes. If you have no idea how old the pipes are, or you know that the vintage home still has its original pipes, you’re almost certainly in need of replacement.
Copper can last upwards of 50 years under normal use. Brass holds strong for 40-45 years. Cast iron is incredibly durable, with a lifespan of up to 100 years. Galvanized steel has the shortest potential lifespan, of as few as 20 years.
Discolored Water
If you’ve just bought the home, or if you use it occasionally as a vacation home, you might be concerned when you see yellow, brown, or rust-colored water coming from your taps. This is a sign of decay within the pipes, one that causes water to become discolored and obviously unhealthy to drink or bathe in. Rust in your water lines points toward immediate replacement is necessary.
Unsure if Your Vintage Home Needs New Plumbing? Call in the Pros
At Ridgeway Mechanical, we have the experience and tools to identify aged pipes that have gone beyond their functional years. Vintage homes need some extra TLC every now and then, especially where water is frequently running. If you’re unsure as to the integrity of the pipes in your aged home, reach out to the experienced professionals in your area! We’ll help you to assess your home and determine if your home needs new plumbing.