While you may love the look and feel of an older home, our team at Lakota Plumbing in Westminster warn you to be careful because older homes can have serious plumbing problems. It could be a leak or water damage, even a completely outdated plumbing system that will need to be replaced. So, if you’re looking at purchasing an older home, make sure you have the plumbing thoroughly inspected. Nothing ruins the joy of owning a charming old home more than unexpected and major repair problems.
When we say that older homes can have serious plumbing problems, we’re talking about a broad range of issues that you should keep an eye out for when considering a home to buy.
Signs of Water Damage
As you walk through a house, you should look for signs of water damage on the ceilings, walls, or floors. Are there sagging or bulging ceilings or floors, or maybe discolored spots? If so, this could point to a big problem. It might be a roof issue, which can be expensive to repair. It could also mean you have major plumbing issues to address, as well as structural damage that will need to be fixed. You could even have an issue that’s affecting the integrity of the home’s foundation.
Pipes
Before maxing out your budget on a home that you think only needs cosmetic repairs, find out if the home has old cast iron or lead pipes. If the plumbing is not updated, you might have to replace the whole system by putting in copper or plastic pipes. This is not a cheap fix, so if you go forward with buying the house, be sure to give us a call for a proper and professional installation.
Water Pressure
Since older homes can have serious plumbing problems, make sure you check to see if it has adequate water pressure and good water quality. These are huge issues that you don’t want to overlook.
Sewer Lines
You’ll also want to take a look at are the sewer lines. If you give us a call, we can use our professional video inspection equipment to examine your sewer lines, making sure they aren’t broken, collapsed, or clogged. This method allows us to see what’s going on without having to dig up your yard, so we’ll be able to save you time and money right up front.
Maintenance
If the home you’re interested in buying has been empty for a long time, it probably means the plumbing has not been used and there’s been no maintenance done. This should be seen as a warning of potential plumbing problems. A complete inspection can tell you the condition of system plumbing and how much it will take to make it safe and usable. If possible, ask the previous owners for maintenance records.
Even with maintenance records, you should always check out the home with one of our professionals at Lakota Plumbing in Westminster. While older homes can have serious plumbing problems, knowing what the issues are and how much they’ll cost to fix can help you decide if you have the budget to make it all safe and functional. For plumbing help at your home, or on a potential new purchase, get in touch.