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Common Plumbing Problems When Buying an Older Home

Common Plumbing Problems When Buying an Older Home

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Indoor plumbing was invented by the ancient Romans, and when you buy an older home, there are times when you’re convinced your pipes and drains were installed by Julius Caesar himself. Ugly tile or an outdated wallpaper border are the least of your problems. Plumbing that’s outdated, or that has ceased to work properly, can cause you big headaches. So for sewer cleaning service in Englewood, and a host of other plumbing repair services big and small, turn to the plumbing contractors in Englewood you can trust: Garvin’s Sewer Service.

Outdoor Plumbing Issues

Some homeowners are diligent about maintaining their indoor plumbing, only to forget about (and then fall short on) maintaining things outdoors. We can help with that. Sewer cleaning can address clogs that build up over years, or decades, worth of use. If you’ve already had a sewer inspection done, we offer a free second opinion video sewer inspection, too.

Common Indoor Plumbing Problems

Maybe your outdoor lines are safe and sound. What kind of problems might you face in your new home’s indoor plumbing? Grab a cup of coffee (or an aspirin). It’s a long list.

Pipe Replacement

Older homes often use outdated pipes, necessitating water line replacement. While uncommon nowadays, lead pipe still crops up in some older homes. The galvanized pipes that replaced lead were also prone to corrosion and lead to discolored water. Polybutylene pipe had replaced galvanized and was in use up to the ’90s, but it had a problem too: exposed to water for prolonged periods, which the last we checked was the purpose of the plumbing pipe, it tended to break down.

Pipe Clogs

A home that’s fifty years old and still has most of its original plumbing has seen a lot of things go down the drain and the toilet. Some of those things shouldn’t have gone down the sink (starches, cooking grease), so a good drain cleaning can make your drains flow like new. And if you’ve ever had a toddler (or just been an absent-minded adult), you know things get flushed that shouldn’t have, from Matchbox cars to so-called “flushable” wipes and other things we won’t mention. We can help!

Leak Repairs

Pipes have joints that fail, and sometimes the pipes themselves can break or develop dangerous wear. Faucets and fixtures have washers and other parts that wear out. The leaks that result are no joke since they can lead to mold and mildew, structural damage, or belongings lost to water damage. 

Other Common Problems

Things go out of date. They don’t work as well as they used to, or stop working altogether, like a sump pump that’s been neglected in your basement for decades. So give us a call if you need garbage disposal repair or replacement, a new dishwasher pipe, fixture repair or replacement, or nearly any other plumbing fix you can think of!

Plumbing Maintenance in Englewood, Colorado

Speaking of maintenance, we want to help you enjoy your home for many years to come. To that end, we offer plumbing maintenance services to keep your sewer lines free of roots that can cause clogs and serious damage. We’ll set up a plan, remind you ahead of time, and show up right on schedule so you never have to second-guess—and so you spend less over time on repairs. For a wide range of home plumbing needs, turn to a name that Englewood homeowners have trusted for 80 years. Call Garvin’s Sewer Service!

4 Reasons to Call an Emergency Plumber

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Emergency plumber needed! That is never something we want to encounter, but it is part of homeownership at some point. While there is never a good time for a plumbing emergency, there are certain ones that need to be handled immediately. Letting a drip continue can lead to erosion, hidden and visual damages and even mold issues. Allowing sewage to sit can create a serious health hazard.

There are also plumbing issues many homeowners feel they can handle on their own, and some can. It is important to know, however, that many plumbing issues require higher education, permits and licensing and therefore should be handled by a plumbing professional.

Sewer Line Back Ups- Call an Emergency Plumber ASAP

While clearing a sewer line back up could be handled by a homeowner we don’t suggest it. Drain cleaning machines can be rented at some hardware stores but without proper training can be dangerous to the operator. Sharp blades and tightly wound cable can cause lacerations, bruising and muscle tears very easily. Any time a person is working with both water and electricity, precautions must be taken, and is best left to plumbing professionals.

With sewer lines, you will also be dealing with fecal matter and waste that could be dangerous if not handled properly. It is messy, stinky and doing it wrong is a disaster. Professional drain cleaners perform over 30 drain cleanings a week making them faster, more efficient, and more skilled than a homeowner with little to no training or experience.

Emergency Plumbing Issue 2: Sink Clogs

Again, homeowners do attempt to tackle sink clogs on their own. This is ok if done correctly. Avoid using chemical drain cleaners as they are extremely dangerous. Not only could they harm you, your children, and pets if handled incorrectly, if they don’t clear the drain and you or an emergency plumber attempts to use a machine, the splash back could cause eye and skin irritation requiring medical attention.

If you choose to clear a sink clog on your own, disassemble the p-trap and manually clear it with a grabbing tool. Be sure to properly re-assemble any pipes to prevent leaking and damage that would cause.

Emergency Plumber Concern 3: Leaks

If you are seeing visual water damage, it is very likely there is additional damage that is unseen. Water damage can cause a host of other problems, including mold, which can turn into a huge, expensive cleaning and restoration project if not handled quickly. Turn off your water to the area if possible. This video shows you how: https://youtu.be/TPWTjB6GvOs

Broken Lines/ Burst Pipes- Call an Emergency Plumber ASAP!

A leak will likely be a small issue that can become large, while a broken line is a big problem that can get out of control if not addressed immediately. Turn off any water supply to the area and dry up anything you can. Contact an emergency plumber right away. Remember that if you don’t feel comfortable with the plumber, or the price, you can get a second opinion. Even paying a small service charge fee is worth the additional money you can save from getting a second or even third bid.

Reputable plumbers will put the quote in writing. Clarify what is included and excluded in the bid and don’t be shy about asking questions.

Garvin’s Sewer Service has been serving the Greater Denver and Boulder’s Emergency Plumber needs since 1940.

© Can Stock Photo / Kurhan