Alessandro DeMarinis of New York City is a master plumber with experience working on new and old homes alike. In the following article, Alessandro DeMarinis discusses common plumbing issues, how to manage and maintain the lines in and around your home, and which jobs require the expertise of a plumber.
It’s no secret that the housing market is red hot right now. According to CNBC, demand for houses hit an all-time at the beginning of the pandemic as people started to move or decided that they needed more space after being stuck indoors.
Many of the homes for sale are not new; instead, they are older and will often come with some other issues that need to be addressed. One of the most common issues has to do with plumbing, which can be a headache. Luckily, there are things that can help alleviate the stress according to Alessandro DeMarinis.
Common Plumbing Issues
Older homes can be some of the most beautiful properties around. Unfortunately, their plumbing may not be up to par. Alessandro DeMarinis explains below are some common plumbing issues:
Bad Sewer Lines
While an old house may be in perfectly good condition, the sewer lines that service the home may not be. Old sewer lines are the root of many plumbing problems. If someone hasn’t looked at the sewer lines in a long time, there is a potential for cracks to develop explains Alessandro DeMarinis.
Sewer lines take the waste out of the home and to the treatment plant, but old sewer lines are more likely to get backed up or leak, which will cause the plumbing to clog up and not work properly.
Old Plumbing Fixtures
It makes sense that an old home will have old plumbing fixtures and that can be an issue. Faucets, washers, valves, and other fixtures will all eventually wear out and when they do, they can leak says Alessandro DeMarinis.
Leaks not only introduce water and moisture around the area but also creates a ripe environment for mold and other unpleasant smells.
Polybutylene Piping and Pipe Corrosion
Polybutylene piping was common from the 1970s-1990s as an affordable option for homes but that is no longer the case. The material is more likely to rust and break down over time, which will completely mess with the plumbing.
Having water, especially drinking water, run through corroded pipes is especially dangerous as it can turn the water a brown color and also create a toxic liquid that shouldn’t be consumed says Alessandro DeMarinis.
Blocked Pipes
If pipes haven’t been maintained or checked in years (common in old homes), then the pipes are likely to become clogged, thus creating a backed-up water flow.
There’s no telling what previous tenants have washed down the drain, so it could be anything from soap to food. Alessandro DeMarinis says blocked pipes aren’t only a nuisance to tenants but it’s also a hazard to the well-being of the overall plumbing system.
When to Hire a Plumber
A plumber should be hired when the plumbing issue is beyond the tenant’s control, or they do not know how to deal with the situation. If clogged drains don’t seem to be budging or there’s serious water damage that’s beyond repair, it’s time for a plumber.
Recommendations From Plumbers
As people that fix plumbing issues for a living, plumbers have some of the best advice around when it comes to plumbing problems. Here are their suggestions for some of the most common plumbing obstacles.
What To Do About Bad Sewer Lines
The first thing to do is to call in a professional who can assess the sewer lines. Getting sewer lines checked out annually is a good thing to do and it prevents more serious issues down the line. If there are cracks or broken parts, that has to be fixed by someone who has experience.
Old Plumbing Fixtures
Plumbers say that fixtures should be replaced, especially when moving into an old house and it’s unclear how old they are. Alessandro DeMarinis says that most hardware or home repair stores will have fixtures that can be bought.
How to Manage Polybutylene Piping and Pipe Corrosion
When first moving into an old home, have a plumber come by and look at all the pipes. If there is polybutylene piping, it should be replaced as soon as possible. Alessandro DeMarinis says to ask for PVC pipes and drains as these will last longer and won’t corrode.
Blocked Pipes
Blocked pipes are often quite easy to take care of. There are several products on the market that claim to unclog pipes with just hot water. If a tenant notices that pipes are clogging consistently or that over-the-counter products don’t seem to work, then it’s time to hire a plumber to look things over.
