5 Plumbing Issues Common in Older Houses in Tacoma, WA

If you’re considering buying an older home or renovating your property in Tacoma, WA, it’s essential to focus on the plumbing system because it can experience significant wear and tear over time. Many older homes in Tacoma have outdated materials and fixtures that can cause leaks and safety concerns. Below, we explore the most common plumbing issues found in Tacoma’s older homes.

1. Corroded/Aging Pipes

Many older homes in Tacoma are equipped with pipes that corrode easily over time. If your vintage Tacoma home was built before the 1960s, it likely contains galvanized steel pipes. While plumbers originally used a zinc coating to prevent corrosion, this protective layer erodes over time, leaving the steel pipes in direct contact with water and vulnerable to rust and deterioration.

Lead is another obsolete and toxic piping material that may be present in Tacoma’s historic homes. Over time, lead can leach into the water supply, causing serious health problems, including developmental issues in children, fatigue, irritability, and joint pain. While lead is harmful to everyone, it poses a particularly severe risk to children, affecting both their mental and physical development.

If your home was completed in the 1970s, it may contain polybutylene piping, which no longer meets current U.S. building codes. These pipes react with oxidants present in Tacoma’s public water system and become brittle over time, increasing the risk of sudden failures.

Common signs of corroded pipes include discolored water, visible leaks, and low water pressure throughout your Tacoma home. Modern piping materials like PEX and copper are rust-resistant and don’t compromise your water quality, making them ideal replacements for aging systems.

2. Persistent Clogs and Drain Blockages

Plumbing systems in older Tacoma homes have endured decades of draining soap scum, shampoo residue, food particles, and kitchen grease. Over the years, this buildup accumulates inside drain lines, gradually restricting water flow and creating stubborn blockages. Additionally, children sometimes flush inappropriate items down toilets, such as toys, food scraps, and pet litter, which can compound drainage problems.

Fortunately, clearing clogs in your Tacoma home’s plumbing system is straightforward with professional help. Expert plumbers use video camera inspections to pinpoint the exact location of obstructions in your pipes, then employ hydro-jetting technology to clear the system and restore proper drainage thoroughly.

3. Bellied Sewer Lines

Homes in Tacoma naturally settle over time, and these gradual shifts can significantly impact the drains and sewer lines beneath your property. As the ground moves and pipes shift downward due to your home’s settling, they can create sagging sections, known as “bellies,” that accumulate standing water and waste material.

Bellied pipes are particularly common in Tacoma due to the area’s soil composition and seismic activity. These sagging sections lead to sewage backups, persistent blockages, and potential leaks. You may notice that toilets drain more slowly as clogs worsen over time. A professional camera inspection is needed to check how bad the belly is. Your Tacoma plumber might have to replace the damaged parts of your drains or sewer lines to fix the flow and stop future issues.

4. Tree Root Intrusion

Many historic and vintage homes in Tacoma feature beautiful, mature landscapes with large trees that provide shade and curb appeal. However, the root systems of these older trees can grow extensively underground and infiltrate pipes and sewer lines.

Tree roots naturally seek out water and nutrients, and your home’s sewer line provides both. Root intrusion happens below the ground and is not visible. The roots can spread in your pipes without you knowing, leading to serious blockages that a simple plunger can’t fix.

Tacoma’s wet climate encourages robust tree growth, making root intrusion a particularly common issue in the area. It is a good idea to have regular video checks if you have old trees on your Tacoma property. This can help stop roots from damaging your plumbing system.

5. Outdated/Failing Fixtures and Hardware

If the last owner of your vintage Tacoma home didn’t update the plumbing, you will probably need to replace some parts and fittings. Old fixtures can bring classic beauty to a historic Tacoma property, but rust on water supply connections and worn-out hardware can greatly lower your plumbing system’s efficiency and reliability.

Fixing leaky faucets, broken sink and shower knobs, and old shutoff valves can help you save a lot on water bills in Tacoma. Upgrading to new drains, vents, water heaters, and other modern items greatly improves how people use them and saves energy. Modern fixtures are also designed to meet current water conservation standards, which are particularly important in the Pacific Northwest.

An old home in Tacoma might look nice from the outside, but it could have big plumbing problems that cause leaks and waste water. In many cases, plumbers must use specialized camera equipment to detect hidden problems within your home’s plumbing infrastructure. Contact us at Spartan Plumbing Inc. to inspect and repair any plumbing issues in your older Tacoma home.

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