What looks charming on the outside may be hiding rusted joints, mineral buildup, and patchwork fixes inside. At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® of Sherman in Sherman, TX, we help homeowners get ahead of those surprises, before slow leaks turn into damaged floors or walls. If you’ve got an older home, here’s what to know before those “small” issues become big repairs.

Old Pipes, Old Materials

If your home was built before the 1980s, there’s a good chance the pipes behind your walls are made of materials no longer used in modern construction. Galvanized steel supply lines were common through the 1960s and even into the 70s in some areas. These corrode from the inside out, restricting flow and tinting water brown as rust breaks loose. Copper often replaced steel, but it can still pit or pinhole under aggressive water conditions, and copper installed before mid-1986 may have joints soldered with lead-based solder. On the drain side, you’ll often find cast iron or clay (vitrified clay) piping. With age, cast iron can tuberculate (flake and scale), and clay joints can shift or crack. Before any major renovation, I recommend a materials check; discovering outdated pipework now is far better than tiling over it.

Slow Drains That Don’t Stay Fixed

A quick snake or a bottle of drain cleaner may offer temporary relief, but repeated slowdowns usually mean a deeper issue. Aging cast iron develops rough interiors that catch grease and soap scum; older clay joints can separate and invite root intrusion. Laundry drains in older homes are often 1.5", while modern codes typically call for a 2" standpipe, so high-discharge appliances can overwhelm old lines. If the same fixture keeps slowing down, the culprit is likely in the horizontal runs under the house or in a restricted vent. A camera inspection tells the truth, and the fix may involve sectional repair or replacement rather than another chemical pour.

Outdated Plumbing Layouts

Decades ago, most homes had a single bathroom, a small water heater, and basic laundry hookups. Today’s added bathrooms, larger showers, and high-output appliances push those old designs past their limits. The issue isn’t usually that drains are “too small” for low-flow fixtures; it’s that long, poorly sloped, or rough older drains don’t carry modern waste as well, and older laundry drains/vents may be undersized. On the hot-water side, older layouts often cause temperature swings, think shower scalds when someone opens a nearby tap. I can evaluate fixture flows, venting, and balancing, and redesign sections so the whole system works together instead of fighting itself.

Low Water Pressure From Old Fixtures

If pressure is weak at multiple fixtures, the faucet isn’t the only suspect. Galvanized supply lines can clog nearly shut. Old stop valves may “turn” but be packed with mineral deposits internally. Many older homes also lack a pressure-reducing valve (PRV). When street pressure is high (or fluctuates), it can hammer sensitive parts and shorten appliance life. If you’re seeing a mix of low flow and occasional surges, I’ll check house pressure, PRV function, and the condition of the main and branch lines.

Clogs Caused by Cast Iron, Clay, and Orangeburg

Cast iron has a typical lifespan of about 50–75 years; by then, internal scaling and external corrosion can cause partial collapses. Clay laterals are vulnerable at the joints and invite root intrusion. Some mid-century homes still have Orangeburg sewer pipe (a bitumen-impregnated fiber pipe). Orangeburg can blister, oval, and collapse under soil load, sometimes causing soft spots or sinkholes in the yard. Suppose I spot any of these materials on a video inspection. In that case, targeted replacement is usually the long-term fix; waiting for a full blockage or collapse only makes the job messier and more expensive.

Plumbing Vent Issues in Older Rooflines

Venting is easy to overlook—and older repairs sometimes leave vents undersized, routed with too many elbows, or, in worst cases, dead-ended in attics. Poor venting slows drainage, pulls traps dry, and can allow sewer gas odors near tubs, basements, or laundry areas. If you notice gurgling or “sucking” sounds when fixtures drain, I’ll verify vent sizing, routing, and terminations. Roof replacement or attic work is an ideal time to correct improper vents and bring them in line with current standards.

Lead and Polybutylene Pipe Risks

Some hazards are silent. Lead can enter water through old service lines or pre-1986 soldered copper joints. Even water that looks and tastes fine can exceed safe levels over time. Polybutylene (installed from the late 1970s through the mid-1990s) was widely used across the Sunbelt, including Texas. It can react with oxidants in municipal water, weakening from the inside and failing without warning. If you’re unsure what your plumbing is made of, I can identify materials quickly and recommend replacements where needed.

Water Heaters That Can’t Keep Up

An aging tank may still heat water, but sediment buildup reduces usable capacity and efficiency. Failed dip tubes mix hot and cold, leading to short, unsatisfying showers. Older systems also often lack modern scald-protection or point-of-use mixing valves. If someone opens a tap and your shower suddenly swings hot or cold, you’re dealing with a system design issue as much as a water-heater problem. I look at heater condition, recirculation options, and balancing so you get steady, safe temperatures.

North Texas Factors That Speed Up Wear

Sherman’s clay-heavy soils can shift with moisture changes, stressing buried lines and creating “bellies” that collect debris. Winter cold snaps, especially hard freezes like North Texas has seen in recent years, can split uninsulated or exterior-wall piping. If your home has a crawl space or older exterior hose bibs without proper freeze protection, proactive upgrades can save you from burst-pipe emergencies.

Schedule Your Plumbing Evaluation Today

Old pipes don’t get better with time. If you’re noticing discolored water, recurring clogs, odors, or pressure swings, a thorough inspection can help you avoid major headaches. At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® of Sherman, I use camera inspections, pressure testing, leak detection, and clear repair plans—whether that’s sectional drain replacement, repiping, vent corrections, or fixture upgrades. Schedule your plumbing evaluation today, and let’s get your older Sherman home running like it should.