Watch out for these common plumbing problems in older houses.

Moving into an older house comes with a certain set of challenges that you don’t get with more modern ones. There are many great reasons to consider choosing an older home for your next residence, but it’s important to know what you’re getting into. One vital factor in these homes will always be the state of their plumbing systems. Be on the lookout for some of these plumbing problems you may find in an older house so that they don’t catch you by surprise when you least expect it.

Amateur Repairs

When you look at the plumbing of an older house, you will often find signs that someone tried to fix various problems on their own. Not every home will have this, but DIY plumbing repairs are relatively common in older houses. These repairs aren’t reliable, and you don’t want to just leave them as they are. Make a few notes about where you find these signs of amateur repairs, and point them out to a licensed professional so that they can repair them properly.

Clogged or Broken Sewer Lines

If there’s one place you don’t want to run into issues, it’s in your home’s sewer line. Sewer line pipes can move around over time and even become clogged with various waste products that the last owner may not have addressed. Calling in a sewer line expert is a must when you move into an older house. You want to make sure that you and anyone else living there continue to live in sanitary conditions for everyone’s overall health.

Galvanized Piping

A common plumbing problem you’ll find in older houses is that of galvanized piping. Older pipes use materials that manufacturers don’t use anymore, having found better alternatives over the years. Homes built in the 1960s and earlier can often have this problem. Be very careful to look for water discoloration or changes in the quality of the water you get. These signs could indicate that your pipes have started to corrode and break down.

Pipe Shifting

Over the years, houses and the ground they sit upon tend to settle and subtly shift their positions. This process is mostly harmless, except when one of these shifts moves a pipe out of place. It can create pipe bellies that will eventually lead to clogs and can also cause serious leaks. The older the house is, the more likely this shifting has changed the layout of your piping system