From mile high ceilings to stunning woodwork and craftmanship – older houses have character and beauty that can be hard to find in newer homes. But while the one-hundred-year-old stained-glass windows are awe-inspiring – one hundred-year-old plumbing isn’t (or at least not in a good way).
Not only can it be difficult to troubleshoot and determine the cause of plumbing issues in an older home, but depending on how long it’s been since the plumbing system has been updated, it can be a costly and time-consuming job. The good news is that once the repair is made and your plumbing has joined the 21st century, you won’t have to worry about that part of your plumbing for decades to come.
Below are four of the most common plumbing problems found in old homes in Cincinnati. Quick note: We’re addressing issues typically found in homes built in the late 1800s to early 1900s – back in the Victorian era that made Cincinnati an architectural gem. However, if your home is at least 30 years old, you might deal with the same issues.
Bellied pipes
Houses settle over time. In older homes, where pipes might be encased in concrete or buried, pipes might be affected by the shifting of the earth and settling. Should the pipes shift downward, it can cause a “belly” that limits water flow. Worse, these bellies can lead to a pool of water that might contain waste. This can lead to clogged, foul-smelling pipes.
Solution: Hire an experienced plumber to inspect your plumbing system to make sure there are no bellied pipes.
Pipes made from outdated materials
U.S. building codes change. In fact, even homes built thirty years ago might have pipes and other plumbing features that are no longer up to code. Back in the early 1900s, two of the most common types of pipes were lead and galvanized. Both can lead to issues in your home.
Lead was the most popular choice for water main lines, sewer line and areas of the home due to its durability and its flexibility. It’s also extremely toxic and can lead to serious health issues including gastrointestinal problems, fatigue and memory loss. Although the use of lead in homes was banned in the 1980s, there is a chance that some older homes still have lead piping.
Another popular choice for pipe material, galvanized pipes are actually a combination of iron and zinc. The problem with galvanized pipes is that, over time, the zinc layer can (and will) erode. This can lead to brittle, weak pipes that break and clog.
Solution: Have a plumbing professional perform a comprehensive inspection of your home’s plumbing to identify if yours still has lead piping. You’ll need to remove that piping immediately. If you have galvanized piping, a plumber can replace sections at a time, starting with wherever your pipes are the most brittle.
Worn out fixtures
From faucets to shower heads, all plumbing fixtures will eventually need to be replaced. Antique handles and porcelain knobs, for example, might look great in the bathroom, but if the knobs are stripped from too much use, they can compromise your plumbing.
The solution: Replace worm fixtures – don’t try to repair them or get by with a “quick fix.” If you love the look of antique plumbing fixtures, you can find updated versions at most home improvement stores. Or, visit an antique shop to find some that are in much better shape.
Sewer line problems
If you live in an older home and notice a foul smell coming from a sink or appliance like the dishwasher, or if you notice bubbling after you flush the toilet (especially if water bubbles in sinks at the same time), the culprit might be a faulty sewer line. If you have recently remodeled your home or otherwise added modern appliances like a dishwasher, your older sewer line might not be used to having so much water moving through it.
Additionally, sewer lines can be damaged by tree roots that grow into the line, or from older, brittle material. Ground shift can also cause problems.
Solution: Schedule a video inspection of your sewer main. Not only can the video reveal the state of your sewer line but it will identify any issues that need to be addressed so you aren’t stuck with a costly repair.
Have an old home? The team at Allied Reddi-Rooter has been helping homeowners across Cincinnati keep the plumbing in their beautiful, older homes in top shape. We are here to help you with yours, too. Call the team at Allied Reddi-Rooter a call at 513-396-5300, or contact us via our website. We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.
Choosing among Cincinnati plumbers is a big decision. After all, you’re trusting a technician with one of the most important systems in your home. If you hire a plumber who doesn’t know what they’re doing, or a plumbing company that doesn’t care about their customers, you could end up needing even more plumbing services than you did before.
The team at Allied Reddi-Rooter cares deeply about our customers and is committed to offering every home and business owner exceptional service. There’s a reason we’ve been in business for so long. Simply put, your confidence is our number one priority.
Here are more reasons you can be confident when choosing Allied Reddi-Rooter for your plumbing needs.
We have more 70 years of experience
Allied Reddi-Rooter has been serving Cincinnati area homes and businesses for 72 years. With more than seven decades in the industry, it stands to reason that we’re one of the top plumbers in Cincinnati.
Our technicians are plumbing experts
Our technicians are always learning the latest in plumbing trends, techniques and tools. For example, we were one of the first Greater Cincinnati plumbing companies to offer residential main sewer videos so homeowners can have visual confidence when they need a sewer main repair.
We give instant and firm estimates
We offer our customers immediate estimates on all residential plumbing services and repairs. In fact, 95% of the time, we can give estimates over the phone with no unexpected add-ons after our technician performs services. For those repairs that have us scratching our heads over the phone, we will come to your home, inspect the repair, and then provide a free, firm price. You’ll never be surprised by Allied pricing.
We offer overnight, emergency services
We know some plumbing repairs simply cannot wait. That’s why our technicians are on-call 24/7, ready to repair serious plumbing issues immediately. And we never charge additional fees for overnight repairs.
And we prioritize next day repairs
Need a plumbing repair or service that isn’t an emergency but still is important to address quickly? If so, we offer priority service scheduling for the next business day for non-emergency plumbing repairs.
Free second opinions
We provide peace of mind through our no-obligation free second opinions that might include a phone conversation, our interpretation of your plumbing repair project, a timeline, and a written estimate if desired.
Need a plumbing repair or is it time to schedule maintenance? Give the team at Allied Reddi-Rooter a call: 513-396-5300, or contact us via our website. We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service. You can follow us on Facebook, @Allied Reddi-Rooter for the latest tips or to ask questions. https://www.alliedreddirooter.com/grease-trap-cleaning/ We’re here, ready to earn your confidence.
When you’re in need of a plumber for your home or business, make sure you choose one with extensive experience and knowledge about all types of plumbing and issues. The best plumbing companies have the capability to perform any and all plumbing services. Basically, they know plumbing inside and out, which makes it easier for them to deliver quality work no matter how big or small the job at hand is.
Here’s our list of the top ten qualities to look for when choosing a plumber in Cincinnati.
Decades of experience. At Allied Reddi-Rooter, our plumbers have more than fifteen years of experience helping home and business owners with their plumbing needs. In fact, Allied Reddi-Rooter has been operating here in the tri-state for more than 70 years. We’ve watched plumbing trends come and go and have literally decades experience troubleshooting and fixing a wide array of plumbing issues.
An emphasis on education. Your plumbing technician should be highly trained, able to pinpoint your plumbing problem quickly and fix it right the first time. Because the field of plumbing is constantly evolving, plumbers should always be honing their skills. The best plumbing companies give their employees the tools they need to keep learning.
Truly “full service.” It’s one thing to say you’re a full-service company, and it’s another to really be one. Look at plumbing company websites to learn what services they offer. As we mentioned above, if they service all industries and homes, and offer a wide variety of services, they are likely to be an established plumbing company you can trust.
Emergency service. We offer emergency service within two hours from the time we first talk to you. Be very wary of plumbers who make you wait when you think you have an emergency. The very worst plumbers wait because, if the problem persists and does further damage, the more work they’ll have to do and the higher the bill.
Instant phone estimates. The best plumbing companies are fair, honest, and ready to help. They should offer free estimates over the phone and deliver free on-site estimates as well.
They’re friendly. Never estimate the power of kindness and courtesy. Our plumbing technicians make friendly service a top priority. The best plumbers care about their customers and are committed to complete professionalism on the job. We work with our customers, listen to their needs, and communicate every step of the way.
They have excellent reviews. Before you select a plumbing company, make sure you read online reviews carefully. Choose a plumber with a great reputation and many positive reviews on websites including Yelp, Facebook, and Google.
Personalized service. Have you ever worked with a company that makes you talk to a different employee every time you reach out to them? That shouldn’t happen with your plumbing company. At Allied Reddi-Rooter, we assign one technician to a job. That way, they can build a relationship with you for better personalized service.
Responsive, 24/7 availability. Whatever your plumbing needs are, no matter what time of the day or night it is, you should be able to reach your plumbing company. Plumbing problems don’t follow a 9-5 schedule. If your toilet clogs at 7 p.m. on a Saturday night before a big dinner party, for example, you’re going to want to call a plumber who’s quick to respond – whether it’s by walking you through fixing it on your own, or by hopping in the truck for emergency service (just save us a slice of cake).
Customized plans. Every plumbing problem is unique, which is why the best plumbers have flexible, customizable plans for every issue and every budget. While some plumbing jobs require only one visit, others – like grease trap pumping for restaurants – can be scheduled for ongoing routine maintenance.
Great deals. Look for plumbing companies that not only stand by their work but offer discounts and other specials to make their services even more affordable.
Need a plumber? If you’re looking for friendly, knowledgeable plumbers with decades of experience contact Allied Reddi-Rooter. We know what it takes to deliver exceptional service and we’ve been doing it for 70 years. We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service. You can follow us on Facebook, @Allied Reddi-Rooter for the latest tips or to ask us a question.