5 Common Plumbing Issues in Older Properties

When it comes to plumbing issues, the age of your property can have a huge impact on the number of times you may need to have a professional plumber on standby.

The older your plumbing system is, the more maintenance it will require and our Plumbers in Sheffield have put together a list of common problems that we see with plumbing systems in older properties. So, whether you live in an older property, or you are looking to purchase one, check out these 5 common plumbing issues to watch out for:

1. Old Plumbing Pipes – in older properties, it is common to find plumbing pipes made from lead, steel and polybutylene. Over time, it is normal for these pipes to corrode which can inevitably cause leaks and damage to your property. If your property still contains these pipe runs, then it might be time to consider an upgrade to copper of plastic

2. Damaged Sewage Pipes – old waste and sewage pipes can over time become damaged and blocked. Furthermore, underground sewer pipes can often shift and collapse with soil movements, so be sure to consider this, especially if you are in the process of purchasing an older property. At Plumbers Sheffield, we say it is never a bad idea to commission a detailed drain survey prior to purchase.

3. Obsolete parts and fittings – as technology moves on, older plumbing materials become obsolete. If your plumbing system is 50 years old or more, then chances are you may struggle to service some part of the system. We recommend that having a regular service of your plumbing and heating system is never a bad idea. This will allow you to change and repair any damaged parts of the system before it is tool late!

4. Poor quality repairs – the older your property, the more likely it is to have had poor quality repairs carried out at some point in the past. A bad repair will eventually breakdown, causing damage to your property when you least expect. Regular servicing from a qualified plumber can help to identify any bad repairs and areas that may be susceptible to problems in the future.

5. Ceased stop taps – at Plumbers Sheffield, we regularly have customers who contact us to say they can’t turn their stop tap. In 90% of these cases, the property is more than 50 years old. Old stops that have not been tested can become locked in place and this poses a real danger in the event of an emergency leak. What’s more, older proeprties tend to have stop taps that are in locations that are difficult to access, making matters worse! If this is the case in your property, it is advisable to have the stop tap moved to an accessible location where you can easily turn it off in an emergency.

For help with managing the plumbing in your property, old or new, get in touch with Plumbers Sheffield!