Maintain the Old Pipes in Your Rental Property

9/26/2019 (Permalink)

Maintain the old pipes

When property owners in Melrose Park, IL, take on an older house or complex, they are also liable for the problems with them. One of these issues is their plumbing system, which can sometimes consist of polybutylene pipes and have a greater tendency to deteriorate or clog. If you are considering renting out an older building, you should be aware of the risks associated with this system and prepare a maintenance routine to keep it functioning.

Potential Problems With Old Pipes

These old pipes are usually made of unreliable or outdated materials that create more problems than they solve. For instance, lead pipes can pollute the water, while rusty piping can make the water take an unpleasant smell and a brown color. A common issue with older houses and rental complexes, particularly those built between 1978 to 1995, is polybutylene piping. This material was popular because it was cheap and easy to install, but its interaction with chlorine creates brittleness and later, water damage. Commercial building restoration services can assist you should this incident occur.

Detect and Treat Clogs

Older pipes are prone to clogs and blockage, which are an inconvenience to tenants and clients in your property. There are several unclogging options for these old pipe systems.

• Snake or wire
  
• Plunger
  
• Chemical cleaners
  
• Enzyme and hot water mix
  
  

Determine the severity of the clog before attempting these treatments.

Maintain the Old Pipes

Replacing these pipes is not always a realistic option. Sometimes, the practical action is using a monthly maintenance routine while a permanent replacement is planned. Keep the pipes unclogged with an enzyme and warm water mix. Run hot water down, then pour the enzyme mix and let it sit overnight. Afterwards, flush it down with more hot water to flush the contents down.
The outdated pipes in your Melrose Park, IL, rental property, whether they are made of polybutylene or another material, can endanger the property and your rent business. Protect both by actively maintaining and repairing the plumbing system.