Old homes tend to have lots of character and beautiful features; however, they also have their problems. Outdated installations, lack of maintenance, age and wear can all cause issues, and one common problem area in older houses is the plumbing. Below, our plumbers look at some plumbing concerns often seen in old properties in Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath and the surrounding areas. We hope this helps you understand what might be going wrong in your home.
For further advice, please read our blogs on the signs you need boiler repairs and the laws about boiler servicing. If you are renovating or refurbishing your property, we can also help with heating and plumbing decisions, such as whether to go with a bath or shower.
Some of the common plumbing problems to look out for in older homes include:
These days, copper and polyethylene pipes are used for domestic plumbing. However, if your house is 30 years or older, you might still have lead, steel or polybutylene pipes. Galvanised steel is corrosive, which can cause high levels of rust in the water. Polybutylene pipes can become brittle and rupture when they come into contact with chlorine. Lead can contaminate the water, causing illness, neurological and behavioural effects and even death.
Skilled plumbers can advise on the type of pipework you have and whether replacements are necessary.
Over time, plumbing fixtures, fittings and connections can wear and corrode. This results in issues like leaks, constant drips and poor water flow. The plumbing in your Burgess Hill or Haywards Heath home might also be annoying or difficult to use. For example, taps might be hard to turn on/off, or water might only dribble out of the tap or shower.
To try and save money, many people attempt plumbing maintenance and repairs themselves. In old homes, various DIY repairs may have been undertaken over the years, resulting in a hodgepodge of sloppy, amateur repairs and plumbing systems with a lot of problems.
Issues range from unsecured pipes and backward fixtures to showers and sinks which don’t drain properly and unsafe freshwater/sewer connections. If a lack of maintenance or DIY fixes affects your plumbing, our plumbers may recommend a complete replacement.
Over time, houses can move as the earth underneath them shifts slightly. This can cause underground pipes to move too, resulting in a sag or belly in the pipe. This restricts water flow and allows debris to collect where the pipe bends downwards, leading to blockages and leaks that disrupt your home in Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath or the surrounding areas.
