As a proud owner of a central Illinois home, chances are you’ve had a few moments where you thought “What is that sound in the walls?” or “Why does my tub faucet look rusty now?” has filled your head. This happens because an older home has seen years of wear that a new one simply doesn’t yet, and often homeowners forget they ever had one in the first place. This is where a professional plumbing contractor central Illinois residents trust will come in handy – he or she can find it in about five minutes just by taking a look at your basement, even if you’ve had this issue for years but never knew it because it’s not something you typically see.
Old Pipe Materials Wear Out Differently Than You’d Think
Homes built in the 1970s or earlier sometimes have galvanized steel plumbing, and the very oldest have lead water pipes. Galvanized pipes tend to corrode from the inside out, so often the outside looks fine, while the inside is barely a trickle.
Tree Roots Are More Destructive Than People Realize
This is an issue many people don’t realize they have. Older sewer lines (especially ones made up of clay or cast iron) can be extremely appealing to tree roots that are searching for moisture and will enter through the tiniest crack and spread it out until the line is completely compromised. Older homes (especially ones with large or mature trees in their yard) are more prone to this issue as the tree’s roots grow and put pressure on the lines and symptoms like slow drains and gurgling toilets are thought to be normal characteristics of aging by homeowners who don’t realize that tree roots are the ones putting the restriction on.
Foundation Shift Changes Everything Underneath
As the ground shifts (due to natural expansion and contraction of the soil in response to weather conditions), pipes underneath or alongside your foundation can crack or shift, allowing water to escape or get in where it isn’t wanted. Another problem caused by shifts is that other types of plumbing can be stressed as well, particularly if they run alongside the foundation.
Old Fixtures Put Pressure On Old Systems
Sometimes it doesn’t start with the pipes themselves – the fixtures attached to them can cause stress on the system when they start to fail, exposing weak points in the plumbing. When a part of an aging system starts to fail, it often causes issues in other connected parts of that same system.
DIY Fixes From Previous Owners Can Hide Bigger Problems
Many older homes have had their plumbing partially redone by previous owners or contractors over the course of decades, and it’s not uncommon for parts of different materials to be used haphazardly in an attempt to repair a leak in a specific area. Pipes can burst years later in places where the repair was made, and if something was done improperly without permits it may fail all at once.
Hard Water Buildup Speeds Everything Up
The naturally occurring hardness of the water in central Illinois means that deposits can build up on the insides of your pipes over time, eventually restricting water flow in much the same way as galvanized corrosion does. It also causes water heaters to fail sooner, clogs on faucets to appear, and unsightly deposits to form on your tub fixtures that never seem to fully clean off.
Why Getting An Inspection Beats Waiting For A Failure
Most people call in a plumber only after something goes wrong, which is understandable as things often do. However, older homes and their plumbing can benefit greatly from an inspection before any failures occur to prevent water damage and unnecessary panic when the call does come.
How A Professional Approach Makes A Real Difference
Working with an established plumbing contractor central Illinois homeowners have trusted for years can be a huge benefit when it comes to issues with older homes. The professional has likely seen many similar homes over the years and knows what to look for based on how old a home is, and an understanding of the common weak points for the home you’re working with can help determine what to look at more closely and what questions to ask about its maintenance history.
Conclusion
Older homes have had years of wear and tear, and the plumbing systems within them are no exception. Corroded pipes, root intrusions, foundation shifts, hard water, and previous DIY repairs can all increase the risk of plumbing problems compared with newer homes. Preventive maintenance is often more manageable than dealing with a major repair or replacement, so having the entire plumbing system inspected periodically can help identify potential issues before they become costly and stressful failures.
A qualified plumbing contractor in Peoria, IL can inspect aging plumbing systems, identify worn or damaged components, and recommend appropriate repairs or replacements. Regular inspections and maintenance can help homeowners protect their property, improve plumbing reliability, and address small problems before they develop into larger issues.
FAQs
Why older homes tend to have more plumbing issues than newer ones
The combination of the aging pipe material, decades of deterioration, and outdated fixtures all play a role.
Can tree roots actually get into the pipes and cause damage?
Absolutely, especially in sewer lines. Roots are attracted to the moisture in the and can work their way into small cracks and openings, ultimately gurgling the line and creating backups.
How often should older home’s plumbing be inspected for issues
Every 1-2 years or if you begin to notice changes in pressure, strange noises, or discoloration in the water.
Are galvanized pipes safe to use?
While they can still be used, galvanized pipes corrode from the inside out, and most plumbing professionals would recommend having them replaced.
