Montgomery County is filled with beautiful historic homes — that’s what gives the county its personality. However, plumbing problems often come with said homes, and it’s important to be aware of problems you may face if you’re an owner of a home built before 1980.
1. Corroded Pipes
A few years ago, I got a call from a homeowner in a quiet neighborhood of Ambler who was concerned about the color and taste of their tap water. Their home was built in the early 60’s and still had most of the original plumbing. When I arrived, I did a thorough inspection, and it didn’t take long to find the problem: severely corroded galvanized pipes.
The corrosion was so bad that in some areas, the pipes were disintegrating, and rust was leaching into the water supply. The homeowner was understandably concerned about the water quality and the potential for leaks that could cause serious water damage. I told them old galvanized pipes rust from the inside out, and once the corrosion process starts, it only gets worse.
I recommended replacing the corroded sections with copper piping, which is more resistant to corrosion and has a longer lifespan. The homeowner agreed, and we scheduled the job. The work took a couple of days, cutting out the old pipes and fitting the new ones in carefully to disturb the existing structure as little as possible.
After the job was completed, the difference in water quality was immediate. The homeowner was relieved, and I was happy with the job. But I made sure to emphasize the importance of regular inspections going forward. I told them even with new pipes, it’s crucial to keep an eye out for signs of wear and tear. Regular checks can catch issues before they become big problems, costly repairs, and water damage, which can be devastating in older homes.
2. Leaky Faucets and Toilets
One of my most memorable repairs involved a vintage toilet in a charming old farmhouse in Montgomery County. The homeowner had been experiencing unusually high water bills and couldn’t figure out why since they hadn’t changed their water usage habits. When they called me, I suspected a leak, but what I found was slightly more complex.
The toilet was an original fixture from the 1950s—beautiful but not very efficient by modern standards. Upon inspection, I noticed a subtle hiss, a common sign of a leak, but the real issue was the worn-out flapper valve. It was so degraded that it couldn’t form a proper seal, causing a constant, slow leak that was difficult to notice unless you knew what to look for.
To fix the issue, I replaced the flapper with a new, silicone-based one that was compatible with the vintage model. I also adjusted the float mechanism to ensure it stopped filling the tank sooner, which helps prevent future overflows. The homeowner was thrilled not only to have the toilet functioning more efficiently but also to retain the vintage charm of their bathroom.
From this experience, I always share a few tips with homeowners to help them spot early signs of leaks:
- Listen for Running Water: Quiet times are the best times to check. If you hear a hissing or running water sound when everything is turned off, you likely have a leak.
- Check for Moisture: Feel around the base of toilets and under faucets for any unexpected wetness or slight pooling of water.
- Monitor Your Water Bill: An unexplained increase in water usage can often indicate a leak, even if it’s not immediately apparent.
- Use Food Coloring: A few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank can reveal hidden leaks. If you see the color seeping into the bowl without flushing, you have a leak.
3. Inefficient Water Heaters
One winter evening, I received an emergency call from a distressed homeowner in Glenside. They were hosting a large family reunion the next day and had just discovered that their water heater was failing—no hot water was coming from any taps, and the timing couldn’t have been worse. After arriving, I found an old water heater struggling to perform.
The water heater, over a decade old, had sediment buildup at the bottom, which often happens with older units. This sediment reduces the heater’s efficiency and capacity, straining the system and leading to failure. After assessing the situation and discussing options, we decided that the best course of action was a complete replacement. Working into the night, I installed a new, more energy-efficient model just in time for the event. The family was incredibly grateful, and their reunion ended without a hitch.
From this experience and many others, I’ve learned to recognize the signs that a water heater is on its last legs:
- Age: Most water heaters have a lifespan of about 10-15 years. If yours is in this age range, it’s time to start shopping for a replacement.
- Rumbling Noises: As water heaters age, sediment builds up and hardens at the bottom of the tank, leading to rumbling or banging sounds during heating cycles.
- Rusty Water: If rusty water is coming only from the hot side piping in your home, it can be a sign that your water heater is rusting away on the inside.
- Water Leaks: Moisture or pooling water around the base of the water heater can indicate a small leak or fracture in the tank.
- Inconsistent Water Temperature: Fluctuations in water temperature can signal the end of your heater’s operational efficiency.
Regular maintenance, such as flushing the tank annually and checking the anode rod, can extend the life of a water heater. However, when signs like these appear, it’s often more cost-effective in the long run to consider a replacement before facing an outright failure. Being proactive not only saves money on potential water damage repairs but also ensures you always have hot water when you need it most.
4. Clogged Drains and Sewer Lines
One of the more challenging jobs I encountered involved clearing a major blockage from roots growing into the sewer lines of an old home in Blue Bell. The homeowner had been dealing with recurring drain issues, with water backing up into the lower level of their home. When traditional snaking didn’t resolve the problem, I conducted a camera inspection and discovered a network of tree roots had infiltrated the sewer line, causing severe blockages.
Given the extent of the root invasion and the age of the pipes, I decided the best approach was a combo of hydro-jetting to cut through the roots and partial pipe replacement to repair areas with the most damage. This solution cleared the immediate blockage and helped prevent future issues with the same section of the sewer line. The homeowner was relieved to see the back-ups cease, knowing the repairs were designed to last for many years.
5. Outdated Fixtures
Not long ago, I was called to a historic home in Fort Washington, where the homeowner complained of persistently low water pressure. The house, while beautiful with its period charm, was fitted with plumbing fixtures that hadn’t been updated since the mid-20th century. Upon inspecting the situation, it was clear that the old fixtures were worn out and inefficient by today’s standards.
The homeowner was attached to the vintage aesthetic, so I sourced high-quality replicas that maintained the historical integrity of the home while incorporating modern plumbing technology. After installing the new fixtures, the difference in water pressure was immediately noticeable. The homeowner was pleased by how much the water flow had improved, commenting that showers had never been more enjoyable.
This experience highlighted an important aspect of plumbing upgrades: they’re not just about enhancing the look of a home. Updating fixtures can significantly improve functionality, like boosting water pressure and ensuring better temperature control. Additionally, modern fixtures are designed to be more water-efficient, which can reduce overall water usage and lower utility bills.
Upgrading outdated fixtures, therefore, serves a dual purpose—preserving the aesthetic appeal of a home while bringing its plumbing up to current standards for comfort, efficiency, and sustainability. This balance is especially crucial in historic homes, where maintaining the character of the property is as important as modern functionality.
6. Pipe Bellies
During a routine inspection in an older neighborhood of Flourtown, I encountered a particularly troublesome issue known as a pipe belly. A homeowner had been experiencing recurrent drain backups and slow drainage throughout the house, and they couldn’t figure out why. During this routine check, I discovered the problem: a significant sag, or “belly,” in the sewer line beneath the home.
Pipe bellies occur when a section of the pipe sags due to ground conditions or shifts in the soil. This sagging creates a low point in the line where waste and debris collect and cause blockages. In this case, the belly was substantial enough that no amount of plunging or snaking would provide a long-term solution.
The repair process for a pipe belly is more involved than typical plumbing fixes. It requires excavating the area around the affected pipe, which can be disruptive but is necessary to address the issue effectively. Once we had access, we replaced the sagging section of the pipe with new, rigid piping that was properly supported and graded to prevent future bellies. We also made sure to compact the soil around the new pipe carefully, providing a stable base to minimize the risk of future shifts.
7. Sewer System Backups
Recently, I was called to a home in Upper Dublin where the entire sewer system had backed up, causing a messy and stressful situation for the homeowner. Upon investigating, I discovered the cause was not a defect in the pipes or an external blockage but rather something entirely preventable: improper disposal habits.
The backup was primarily caused by items like cooking grease, wet wipes, and other non-biodegradable products being flushed down the toilets and sinks. These materials don’t break down easily and have accumulated over time, eventually obstructing the flow and causing sewage to back up into the home.
Addressing this issue required a full clean-out of the sewer line, using a combination of snaking and hydro-jetting to clear the massive blockage. It was a time-consuming and costly process that could have been avoided with proper sewer line care.
After resolving the immediate crisis, I spent time with the homeowner to educate them on what can and cannot go down their drains. I emphasized that even products labeled as “flushable” often do not degrade quickly enough to prevent blockages. Cooking grease, certain types of food waste, hygiene products, and household chemicals can all cause serious problems in both household plumbing and municipal sewer systems.
8. Lack of Plumbing Ventilation
On one of my service calls in Lafayette Hill, I encountered a severe ventilation issue that was causing slow drains throughout a homeowner’s house. The root of the problem was a DIY plumbing job done by the previous homeowner, who had attempted to install additional bathroom fixtures without proper venting.
Upon arrival, I noticed that the drains were not only slow but also emitted a gurgling sound, a telltale sign of inadequate ventilation. The DIY work had bypassed crucial venting connections, which are essential for balancing the air pressure within plumbing pipes and allowing water to flow smoothly.
To correct this, I had to retrofit the existing plumbing system with proper vents. This involved installing air admittance valves (AAVs) in key locations to introduce the necessary airflow into the system. The process was intricate, requiring careful planning to ensure each fixture was adequately vented while maintaining the integrity of the overall system.
After the modifications, the difference was immediate. Water flowed freely, and the annoying gurgling sounds ceased. The homeowner was relieved because the problem was resolved and because they learned a valuable lesson about the importance of professional plumbing practices.
9. Illegal or Improper Renovations
A few years back, I was hired to inspect a newly purchased home in Montgomery County where the previous owner had undertaken extensive DIY renovations, which unfortunately included numerous plumbing modifications. The new homeowners were experiencing frequent leaks and inconsistent water pressure, prompting them to call for a professional assessment.
Upon inspection, I found that the DIY renovations had led to several plumbing violations, including the use of non-compliant materials, incorrect pipe sizing, and improper connections that were not only inefficient but also posed serious risks to the home’s overall safety and functionality. The job required extensive corrections to bring the plumbing system up to code, including replacing large sections of piping and redoing several fixture installations.
Correcting these issues was not only a matter of replacing and repairing but also ensuring that the entire plumbing system was compliant with local building codes. This included obtaining the necessary permits for the work, something the previous owner had neglected to do.
10. Insufficient Water Pressure
One particularly challenging case of low water pressure occurred in a large, older home in Montgomery County, which had recently been renovated. The homeowner reported that the water pressure was disappointingly low across multiple faucets, which was puzzling given the recent updates to the plumbing system.
Upon my initial inspection, the cause of the problem wasn’t immediately apparent. There were no obvious leaks, and the main supply line seemed intact and free from major blockages. To delve deeper, I conducted a comprehensive diagnostic test, which included checking the water meter, the pressure regulator, individual shut-off valves, and the aerators on faucets.
The breakthrough came when I discovered an issue with the pressure regulator. It was set too low, a common oversight that can occur either during installation or maintenance. Additionally, several of the new fixtures installed during the renovation had flow restrictors that were too conservative, compounding the problem of low pressure.
After adjusting the pressure regulator to increase the flow and replacing the overly restrictive flow restrictors with ones more suited to the home’s needs, the water pressure improved significantly across all faucets. The homeowner was thrilled with the result, noting that the improvement in water flow made a noticeable difference in daily activities such as showering and filling pots in the kitchen.
Your Plumbing’s Efficiency is Our Priority
Plumbing problems are a commonality in older homes, but they’re also apparent in modernized homes. Our main goal is to be a reliable plumber in Montgomery County for every homeowner’s needs, whether you have an older home or a newer home.
From dealing with corroded pipes to enhancing water pressure, we’re equipped to handle whatever issue you’re faced with. As we navigate these issues together, our commitment is to provide solutions that resolve immediate problems and enhance the long-term functionality and safety of your plumbing.