Plumbing Damage to Look Out for When Purchasing a Historic Home

There is a number of beautiful historic homes in the New York area, any of which would make the perfect family home. However, it’s important to be aware of potential problems with older homes before you buy. After all, you don’t want to be unpleasantly surprised when you are ready to move in—or after you are living there! Knowing about problems beforehand will allow you to find an experienced ServiceWhale professional to address them at the most convenient time for you. Here’s a list of common plumbing problems in older homes, which you should watch for when purchasing a historic home in New York.

Outdated Pipes

Depending on the age of the home and its plumbing system, there are several problems you should look for. Steel pipes can wear out in as few as twenty years; plastics last longer, and copper and brass pipes don’t tend to start wearing out before 50 years. Homes built or renovated in the 70s, 80s and 90s may have polybutylene pipes, which can be damaged by common cleaning fluids and cause them to develop leaks or burst with very little warning. Much older historic homes may have cast iron or lead pipes, which can require the whole plumbing system to be replaced.

New and Old Water Damage

Water damage can lead to mold and mildew as well as damage to the structure of the building. It can also have a variety of causes: cracked or unsealed foundation can let in groundwater, leaky or damaged roofs will allow rain and snow to make their way inside, and broken or outworn plumbing can cause leaks, major pipe failures or even flooding.

If you see traces of water damage, it’s a good idea to visit the house after a hard rain to see whether the damage is from a leaky roof or the foundation. Plumbing damage is not going to be any more obvious due to the weather, however, and it may appear in places where simple leakage from outside would not reach. If you are unsure about the source of water traces, have a ServiceWhale technician inspect the damage.

Inadequate Maintenance

If someone has been living in the home for most of the time since it was built, it is probably in better condition than a home that has been allowed to stand empty for months or years. Habitation means that problems are more likely to have been noticed and repaired, although it is not a guarantee that the plumbing has actually been properly maintained and updated. You may also want to update the water heater, even if the home has been lived in continuously, since older water heaters can fail with little or no warning.

Be Informed of Plumbing Problems in Older Homes

If you are considering purchasing a historic home in the New York area, it’s a good idea to have it inspected for plumbing problems. In particular, have the pipes, sewer line and water pressure looked at, and consider having the water supply tested to make sure it contains nothing that would make it unsafe to use or drink.

When you know about potential plumbing problems in older homes before making a purchase, you can choose when and how to address them. If you are considering renovating or repairing a historic home in New York, contact ServiceWhale for free quotes and additional information.