Plumbing Upgrades You’ll Need to Make in Your Old Home

Buying a home is a huge investment, and one that often comes with unexpected surprises. If you’re the lucky owner of an older home, then chances are at some point you’ll need to upgrade your plumbing system. As technology advances, so does the efficiency of plumbing systems. This means that if you’re living in an older home, there may be upgrades you need to make in order to enjoy modern comforts.

Pipes

The first thing you should do is inspect the pipes in your home. Most homes built before 1960 used galvanized steel pipes, which can cause a variety of problems including corrosion and clogs due to mineral buildup. If your pipes are made of this material, it’s time to replace them with copper or plastic piping. These materials are more durable and won’t corrode over time like galvanized steel does. Plus, they don’t require as much maintenance – copper and plastic pipes can last up to 50 years or more. If this is an upgrade you want to do for your home, contact a plumbing company for help. This is a task you don’t want to attempt doing on your own. 

Water Heater

Another upgrade you may want to consider is installing a tankless water heater. Traditional storage water heaters use a large tank that stores hot water until it’s needed – but this also means that energy is being wasted as the hot water sits in the tank waiting for use. Tankless water heaters are more efficient because they don’t store hot water – instead they heat it on demand when it’s needed. This makes them more energy efficient and cost effective than traditional storage tanks.

Laundry Space

If you’re looking to increase the efficiency of your home, then an upgrade of your laundry space may be in order. Installing a utility sink with a washing machine hook-up can make doing laundry much easier and save time. Plus, it also adds convenience as you won’t have to travel back and forth between the washer and dryer. Just be sure to check if there are any plumbing permits needed for any plumbing updates you may do around your home, especially in the laundry room.

Sump Pump

If you live in an area that experiences heavy rain or flooding, then installing a sump pump is a great way to protect your home from water damage. A sump pump collects excess groundwater near your foundation walls and pumps it out of the basement or crawlspace before it has a chance to cause any damage. This is an especially important upgrade to make if you live in an area prone to flooding.

Fixtures

Finally, replacing old fixtures can make a big difference in your plumbing system – not only aesthetically but also functionally. Installing newer fixtures such as low-flow toilets and faucets conserve both water and energy while looking great too. You can even upgrade your bathroom shower head to one with adjustable settings so you can enjoy different types of sprays for different needs (such as massage spray after long days).

Upgrading your plumbing system doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive – but it’s important if you want to keep your old home functioning optimally for years to come. For starters, inspect your pipes for any corrosion or clogs and consider investing in new materials such as copper or plastic piping if needed. Additionally, think about upgrading other parts of the system such as installing a tankless water heater or new fixtures like low-flow toilets and faucets – these upgrades will help conserve both energy and money while making your home look great. With some thoughtful planning and research, you’re sure to find just what you need when it comes time to upgrade your old home’s plumbing system!