Purchasing a historic home can provide excitement and wonder. Homes more than 100 years old offer a mystique that newly constructed homes do not. Your antique plumbing deserves more than the cursory glance it receives during the home inspection that’s part of your purchase. Designed to discover major problems, it’s still a good idea to hire a plumber to make a close examination of your home’s plumbing before you move in.

Replace the Pipes

Historic homes often contain copper or iron pipes. Over the years, they can develop water line leaks or cracked pipes. Your local professional plumber can address these pipe leaks by outfitting your home with PVC pipes that stand the test of time. This type of pipe cannot rust or corrode, so your home gains extra plumbing leakage protection from the piping upgrade.

Check the Fixtures for Stability

Do you notice the toilet bowl shift or give when someone sits on it? Does the shower, sink cabinet, or the bathtub do the same? If any fixture moves or rocks, it indicates weakened subfloor. Examine the flooring from the crawlspace first, then remove the toilet bowl or other fixtures to check from above. You may need a new subfloor in the bathroom.

There’s nothing new under the sun when it comes to bathroom renovation ideas, and what’s old always becomes new again. Vintage bathroom ideas that incorporate antique bathroom fixtures have made their way back onto the bathroom renovation scene, and it’s easy to see why. The chic, polished aesthetic of antique bathroom fixtures can breathe new life into any bathroom, but is your plumbing up to the task?

Not everything that is antique is valuable, and this is especially true when it comes to old, outdated plumbing. It makes no sense to install or refurbish antique bathroom fixtures if your plumbing pipes are falling apart. A retro bathroom with retro plumbing will see your money down the drain, so it’s important to know when it’s time to replace your antique bathroom fixtures and plumbing with modern, functional replacements.

Here’s how you will know when it’s the right to replace your outdated plumbing:

Discolored water

Discolored water is usually a cause for concern, especially if you don’t live in a rural area, use well water, or are under a boil order by the water authority. Dark brown or dirty looking water can be sign of pipe corrosion, which can result in rusty water. Pipe corrosion is a serious issue and should be addressed immediately.

Bad odors

If your water has a foul smell to it, this may indicate a a build up of bacteria in old plumbing pipes. An old water heater can also be the culprit, so it’s important to call a professional to determine the exact reason. After long periods of time, bacteria can build up pipes and cause bad water odor. This bacteria not only smells bad, but it can also be harmful.

Mold and mildew

Can you see mold and mildew on your ceilings and floors? If so, you could have leaky plumbing pipes. Mold and mildew thrive in warm, moist environments, and leaky plumbing provides the moistures necessary to support mold colonies. Mold and mildew is not only unsightly, but it can also be dangerous. This is especially true for those who suffer from allergies, in which case a strong mold presence can be downright hazardous.