Owning an older home has its advantages. One is that older homes often feature architectural styles that set them apart from today’s cookie-cutter homes. Another is that they frequently sit on larger parcels of land. However, there are some downsides to older homes, too. One is that they feature aging infrastructure that can require significant investments to upgrade. In particular, an older home’s plumbing is often badly in need of work.
If you own an older home, here are eight ways you can improve your home’s plumbing.
1. Replace Galvanized or Lead Piping
Plumbing technology undergoes significant advances all the time. However, you may not have considered how updating piping materials may have a positive impact on your older home. For example, plenty of houses built before the 1960s featured galvanized pipes as the backbone of their plumbing system. At the time, they offered an ideal alternative to lead pipes, which have some serious drawbacks. However, galvanized pipes are vulnerable to internal corrosion. That can contaminate your home’s water and eventually lead to leaks. Therefore, if your home still has galvanized piping, replacing it should be among your top priorities.
If your home is old enough to have any lead piping still, upgrades are even more urgently needed. Lead is toxic to humans and can lead to severe health problems. If you have any children in your home, they’re even more at risk. The good news is that few homes still have lead piping within them. However, it’s always a good idea to have your home’s plumbing inspected by one of our plumbers and its water tested for the presence of lead. When it comes to lead, you can’t be too careful.
2. Inspect and Replace Shutoff Valves
Living in a home with aging plumbing comes with the ever-present risk of leaks. While you work on overhauling your pipes, however, you still need the ability to contain leaks. That means you need all the shutoff valves in your home working properly. To ensure they are, you should test them. Older valves can often become stuck or fail to shut completely when turned off. Some may even leak when you attempt to use them. These are not issues you want to discover when a leak is threatening your home. If you find any faulty shutoff valves, consider replacing them immediately. Begin with your main shutoff valve and work your way toward localized valves under sinks and other fixtures.
3. Check Your Water Heater
Upgrading to a new water heater is another thing owners of older homes should consider. There are multiple reasons why. One is that older water heaters are at a higher risk of failure, which can come with some costly water damage. Another is that they are likely far less efficient than newer models. Installing a new water heater is an upgrade that’s especially important if you don’t know the exact age of your existing unit. It eliminates a potential source of significant plumbing risk and ensures you have a reliable hot water supply for years to come.
4. Upgrade Inefficient Fixtures
Several years ago, California enacted laws requiring that homeowners upgrade old, inefficient fixtures to newer, water-conserving ones. However, there weren’t any penalties for failing to do so. As a result, plenty of older homes still have fixtures that waste water. If yours is one of them, it’s a good idea to consider some upgrades. The easiest place to start is with faucets and showerheads. Low-flow fixtures are relatively inexpensive and can make a significant difference in your home’s water usage. Next, consider replacing your home’s older toilets. Older toilets can use up to seven gallons per flush. Today’s models use no more than 1.28 gallons per flush with no reduction in flush power.
5. Add Piping Insulation
Although the temperature rarely drops below freezing here in Thousand Palms, CA, we do sometimes experience cold snaps. When they happen, the pipes in your older home may become vulnerable to freezing. That’s especially problematic if those pipes are already fragile, as it increases the odds that they’ll burst. To prevent that, add some pipe insulation to any pipes running through unheated parts of your home. These may include crawl spaces, basements, and garages. Even if you’re not worried about the risk of frozen pipes, adding insulation is worthwhile. It will improve your home’s energy efficiency by preventing hot water from cooling during its journey to your fixtures.
6. Install a Whole-House Water Filter
Whether you get your water from a well or the public supply, it could have quality issues. To combat that, have a whole-house water filtration system installed. It will slow the degradation of your plumbing by removing substances like chlorine and minerals from your water supply. It will also make your tap water safer for everyday use, from drinking to bathing.
Unfortunately, a whole-house water filter won’t eliminate contaminants that result from the condition of your home’s pipes themselves. If you are not ready for a major plumbing renovation, consider point-of-use filters. They will ensure clean drinking water for your family.
7. Install Smart Leak Detection
Another wise plumbing upgrade to consider for your older home is the addition of a leak detection system. It can use sensors to monitor your home’s water pressure and provide real-time alerts when a leak occurs. Many use ultrasonic detection technology, which means you don’t need to cut into pipes to install one.
However, there are models you can integrate directly into your water supply piping. Those can automatically turn off your home’s water in response to a leak. They’re an excellent way to safeguard your home while you are at work or on vacation. Plus, you can continue using them even if you choose to have all your home’s pipes replaced.
8. Install Water Pressure Regulation Equipment
Many of the most common plumbing complaints owners of older homes have revolve around water pressure. In most cases, the problem is a lack of sufficient water pressure. That can result from a variety of issues. It can happen because of the supply pipes narrowing due to corrosion or scale buildup over the years. Or, it can be because of a lack of incoming water pressure from the municipal supply. In the latter case, the addition of a pressure tank and a booster system can help. They can help raise your water pressure to acceptable levels without risking damage to your aging pipes. However, you’ll need a plumber with plenty of experience working in older homes to handle the installation.
Local Plumbing Upgrade Specialists
General Air Conditioning & Plumbing has offered expert plumbing services in Thousand Palms since 1984. In that time, we’ve worked in countless homes of all vintages. That gives us the experience and expertise to handle any plumbing upgrade your older home requires. Additionally, we offer upfront pricing and the most comprehensive guarantees in the area. We’re also a multi-year winner of the Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave award. That means we have the seal of approval of your friends and neighbors.
If you need plumbing upgrades for your older home in Thousand Palms, call General Air Conditioning & Plumbing today!
