Archives September 2021

Older homes usually have an inexplicable vintage charm, but along with it comes maintenance chores that every homeowner should carry out. The plumbing systems of older homes usually are vulnerable to maintenance issues, especially since plumbing fixtures tend to wear out after 15 to 20 years of continued use. 

Below are some of the most common plumbing issues encountered in older homes, plus how homeowners can deal with these issues as it occurs. 

Leaking faucets

Leaks are commonplace, especially with worn-out or aging faucets. The washers and the mechanisms of faucets used for a decade or so are not in the best shape anymore and are more likely to leak.

Homeowners should make it a point to clean the whole faucet contraption from time to time, especially if the water supply in the area is hard water. Corrosion is more likely to happen when sediments abound. Moreover, if leaks occur, get in touch with a local plumbing contractor who can either repair or replace the faucet so that the leaky tap could be remediated for the long term. 

Leaky pipes

Apart from leaking faucets, leaky pipes are also another common issue that occurs in homes built more than 20 years ago. Like other plumbing fixtures, pipes also incur wear and tear, and depending on the maintenance and usage, they could wear out sooner than their intended lifespan. 

When leaks occur, homeowners should refrain from carrying out their pipe repairs, and instead, call a local plumbing repair company to fix the problem. Here is a guide on how to hire the right contractor. Homeowners should likewise refrain from causing damage to the pipes. A good example is overfilled under sink cabinets where pipes and collide with household stuff that is stored in that cabinet. 

Homeowners should also keep an eye for signs of leaky pipes that are behind walls or right in the ceiling or floors. These include discoloration, warping, bubbling, and mold growth. Homeowners should act on these right away to prevent water damage, which is highly destructive to any home. Calling a local residential plumber is the best recourse. For a local plumber, try visiting Ace Contractors at https://www.plumbing-heating-air-experts.com/.

Clogged drains and sewers

Sewer problems are also highly likely to occur in older homes. Drain pipes and sewers of homes built more than two decades ago may have suffered use and abuse from their owners, and could therefore manifest the issues sooner than later. 

Homeowners should immediately get in touch with a local plumber as soon as slow drains occur. Other red flag signs to watch out for are foul-smelling drains and multiple clogged drains. These are all warning signs that could soon cause sewer back-ups or flooding.  

Failing water heater

Traditional water heaters usually perform at their best for 12 to 15 years, and years beyond those are so-called bonus years that hopefully would return the investment of the homeowner on the system. Since maintenance plays a huge role in the longevity of a tanked water heater system, ill maintenance will surely result in operational issues early on before the water heater reaches its end of life. 

If the water heater was installed more than 12 years ago then it is best to ask a local plumber to assess if the unit is still worth keeping. If the water heater does not seem to be in good condition anymore or is no longer power efficient as it should be, then it may be best to replace it right away.

Best ways to save on water consumption at home

Now more than ever, homes are getting more conscious about their water consumption. A growing number of new homeowners have decided on using eco-friendly and water-saving plumbing fixtures that could hopefully help them curb water use, and at the same time do their part in helping preserve the environment. 

The good news is whether the home is new or was built decades ago, households can still save on their water consumption. Through discipline, commitment, maintenance, and help from a reliable residential plumber, a household can get to save on their water bill. This article will discuss the various easy and doable ways households can save on water consumption. 

Enlist household commitment   

Before embarking on a journey to curb water consumption and help save the environment, every head of a household should enlist the commitment of everyone in the family to pitch in and curb water use.

This is important because everyone uses water at home daily basis. There is no use in trying to save

water when someone in the family freely squanders it while in the shower, while brushing teeth, or while cleaning the car. Parents should likewise teach children to use water wisely, and refrain from flushing the toilet when there is no need to flush. The simple act of turning off the faucet or the shower while soaping up, brushing teeth, or shaving is helpful already.

Have a periodic plumbing maintenance check

Homeowners should check their whole house periodically for leaky toilets, faucets, and showers. Drains should likewise get examined for sluggishness. He should also keep an eye for possible leaks in the pipes that are installed behind walls, beneath the floors, and elsewhere that are not obvious to the naked eye.

These issues all contribute to unwarranted water consumption, which could drive up utility bills and usage without the homeowner knowing it. 

Apart from physical checking of the homeowner, he should also schedule professional plumbing maintenance inspections. These annual plumbing checks help keep the whole plumbing system well-maintained and immediately fix issues while they are still minor and fixable. It also gets to recognize brewing issues that could turn into significant plumbing problems that are expensive to resolve. It likewise resolves leaks that bore a hole in the household water consumption and budget.

If the homeowner is suspecting a leak at home, then investing in a leak detection service. Use this article from souper to learn more about non-invasive services that can be easily conducted by professional plumbers. It is likewise highly accurate and in case they find a leak, most leaks can also be fixed without having to dig or tear through walls.  

Choose eco-friendly plumbing fixtures

Whenever homeowners would need to replace a plumbing fixture, they should endeavor to choose eco-friendly plumbing fixtures that use less water compared to traditional, older versions of the plumbing contraption they plan to replace. For instance, some low-flow faucets and showers help cut down on water use. At the same breath, there are now dual flush toilets that are more efficient when it comes to water consumption.

Households who seriously want to save on water consumption may also choose tankless water heating systems, which can also help them cut back on electrical consumption. Installing plumbing extras like faucet aerators can also help in lowering water consumption without having to lessen water pressure.