Older Homes Need Some Extra Love
Homes in the Seattle // Tacoma area are known for their mature neighborhoods and 50 to 100-year-old homes. That means, just like a car with a lot of miles, there’s some infrastructure issues that will start to come up.
As a homeowner of an older house, it’s really important to be thinking about your plumbing systems before you have to be aware. The damage water, or even worse, sewage can do to a home can be devastating. This is not a surprise you want to be faced with.
We’ll take a moment to outline a few common plumbing issues and if you find yourself wanting to proactively service them, or find yourself in an emergent situation, don’t hesitate to pick up a phone and give us a ring at: or drop us a line right on our site. Okay, let’s go over some key issues.
The Usual Suspects
Outdated Pipes & Corrosion: Outdated plumbing systems, particularly ones with aging pipes made from materials like galvanized steel or cast iron. Over time these pipes can corrode, leading to reduced water flow, leaks, and potential water damage. If you notice low water pressure, poor drainage, discoloration or dripping pipes, don’t put off having our service team come take a look. Ignoring it will not make it go away, and could make it much worse.
Leaky Faucets, Fixtures & Exposed Pipes: It can be easy to ignore these because it feels more like a nuisance than a huge issue. That said, it’s the “slow drip” that can wreak havoc on your home’s infrastructure. For example, you may think your exposed tub and shower faucet is leaking, but behind the wall, water could be creating rot and even harmful mildew or mold. Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t creating damage.
Clogged Sewage Lines & Drains: It’s fairly easy to notice a surface level drain clog when it’s simply hair, food, etc. That said, imagine the buildup that can occur “below the surface” after 30 to 50+ years. Also, old growth trees are a big culprit. The root systems can be brutal to underground plumbing systems. These are typically tied to the “main” and there’s a whole host of issues that come with this type of obstruction. Hydro-jetting is a great, non-invasive solution for this situation.
Faulty Water Heaters: Outdated water heaters are very common offenders. Even though they are typically visible, we really don’t pay attention to them unless they stop delivering the water we’re expecting. Buildup, rust, and aging components are the main issues. If you’re facing replacement, consider a tankless system. They take up less room and are much more energy efficient. You may even qualify for energy saving rebates. Be sure to ask about these if you’re looking to have us replace your old water heater.
Running Toilets: It might seem that this issue is just more of an annoyance and possibly a waste of water, but there’s more to this! A running toilet unattended while you’re sleeping or at work can literally flood your entire home. You may come home to water pouring out of your downstairs light fixtures. This is a repair or replacement you don’t want to put off.
We hope this is helpful and don’t forget to give us a ring, we’d love to help keep your plumbing systems healthy. If you have other plumbing needs, please give us a call at: (206) 785-1404 or reach out on our site. We look forward to hearing from you.
