What Should I Know About Plumbing in an Older Savannah Home?
Many older Savannah homes still have galvanized steel supply lines, cast-iron drains or clay sewer pipe. Watch for brown water, falling pressure, slow drains and repeated leaks. A plumber can inspect and tell you what's worth replacing.
Request a plumberGalvanized supply lines
Steel pipe coated with zinc was common for decades. It rusts from inside, narrowing until pressure drops and water runs brown. It can't be cleaned out; it has to be replaced. See repiping.
Cast-iron drains
Strong and quiet, but the inside scales and the bottom of the pipe can rot through. A camera shows its condition without opening walls.
Clay sewer laterals
Clay joints let roots in, and Savannah's live oaks are always looking for water. Repeated main-line clogs usually mean roots.
Plumbing added over time
Historic homes often have pipe from several eras joined together. Leaks are most common where old meets new.
Working around historic finishes
Ask how the crew will protect plaster, floors and trim, and how openings will be patched.
Buying an older home?
A sewer camera inspection and a look at the water heater and supply pipes before closing can save a big surprise later.
What's worth doing first?
If the supply pipes are galvanized and the water runs brown, that's usually first, because it affects every tap. If drains back up, a sewer camera inspection comes first. A plumber can help you put the work in order and plan it around any renovation.
Lead and old solder
Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder on copper joints, and very old homes may have a lead service line. If you're unsure, ask your water provider about testing, and run the cold tap for a minute before drinking after water has sat overnight.
More plumbing guides
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