Old Plumbing Systems Aren't So Quaint

Old Plumbing Systems Aren’t So Quaint

Before your home requires Phoenix emergency plumbing, understand the piping system that lies beneath. Have you ever seen one of those old, quaint, maybe even historic, homes? You know the kind – the homes that were common decades ago but are now viewed as rare gems. Maybe you even live in such a house.

Yes, these types of unique, older homes can be beautiful and interesting places. But sometimes, lurking under the surface, there can be real problems for the homeowner, especially when it comes to plumbing systems.

Plumbing systems are made up of series of pipes, and the quality and condition of those pipes is what can make for a properly-working Phoenix plumbing system, or not.

Galvanized Pipes Corrosion

In many older homes, the plumbing system is comprised of galvanized pipes because years ago it was believed that galvanized piping did not rust like traditional black iron pipe. But after years in use, it was discovered that galvanized piping does indeed rust, from the inside out, and can lead to corroded and plugged up pipes – a major Phoenix emergency plumbing issue.

Because replacing an entire piping system can be very expensive, many homeowners elected to only repair the pipe or pipes that became corroded. Sometimes, the bad piping was replaced with more galvanized pipe, instead of copper or plastic pipe.

Homes with old galvanized pipes need to be tended to by a professional Phoenix plumber – this isn’t a do-it-yourself kind of job. When copper pipes are attached to galvanized pipes, dielectric coupling must be done to stop the corrosion caused by dissimilar metals touching. An experienced, certified Phoenix plumber like those at Arizona’s Chas Roberts Air Conditioning & Plumbing can ensure the re-piping is done correctly.

Sewer Line

Did you know that all of the piping on the house side of your water meter is the responsibility of you, the homeowner? In addition, if your house is on a sewer line, you also own the line that runs from the house to the street. So any Phoenix emergency plumbing issue in that piping is your responsibility, not the responsibility of the city water authority.

This can be especially troublesome when it comes to older homes, where sewer lines can become obstructed or crushed by the roots of large trees. This causes leaks in the plumbing system. Then, there is the potential issues caused by common household items – like cooking grease or paper products – being disposed of incorrectly and pushed through the pipes. If a clogged or crushed sewer line could possibly be the problem, you’ll need to call a professional Chas Roberts plumber to investigate with a sewer camera and treat or repair the problem.

Whether your house is old and historic, or new and modern, it’s important to be aware of potential piping problems and get them fixed upon initial discovery. For all of your piping and Phoenix emergency plumbing needs Chas Roberts is here for you. To schedule an appointment visit ChasRobertsPlumbing.com, or call (602) 943-3426.