Old homes in Las Vegas have their charm and personality. Vintage fixtures, crown molding, and plaster walls may appear attractive to first-time homebuyers, but their beauty often conceals challenges with the plumbing system. Old homes may need plumbing service for the following concerns.
Old or unsafe pipe materials
Older plumbing systems may have pipes made of lead, iron, or polybutylene. Lead used to be the ideal metal for plumbing because of its durability and malleability, but once its toxicity was discovered, the material was restricted and then banned completely.
Galvanized pipes are made of iron and coated with a layer of zinc. Unfortunately, zinc erodes over time, leaving the iron pipe at risk of corrosion and breakage.
Polybutylene was introduced as the “pipe of the future”, but was later identified as defective. The plastic in these pipes interacted with the oxidants in public water systems and caused the pipes to flake, become brittle, and break.
Pipe bellies
Pipe bellies occur when a pipe shifts downward and restricts the flow of water. This creates pools that accumulate waste or sediment, often leading to clogs or leaks. To repair pipe bellies, plumbers typically have to do something called trenchless pipe bursting.
Failing sewer lines
Problems with the sewer lines can cause sewage to seep into the ground or bring wastewater into the home. Modern life has increased our dependency on plumbing fixtures, requiring more wastewater to flow from our many appliances. Older homes may not be prepared to handle heavy usage. In addition, tree roots may damage the sewer lines.
Outdated fixtures and connections
Over time, corrosion and normal wear and tear can lead to broken knobs, restricted water flow, and frequent leaks. It can be tempting to find simple patches for these issues and continue using the system. But eventually, a plumbing emergency will require homeowners to replace the entire plumbing system.
Poor repairs
Older homes have a long history of repairs. The quality, or lack thereof, of the repairs will affect the overall health of the plumbing system. New homeowners don’t have any control over what has already been done to the home’s plumbing system and may end up paying to fix poor plumbing repairs.