Plumbing in Older Louisville Homes: What to Expect
Durbin Plumbing repairs faucets, toilets, water heaters and sump pumps, and clears drains, in older homes across Louisville and Jefferson County. We live in an older part of Louisville, and this guide covers the old faucets, stop valves, toilets, drains and water heaters we work on in older houses.
Our office is in 40205, and we do a lot of work close to this area, in the Highlands and Belknap and in Crescent Hill and Clifton. Nothing here replaces a look at your own fixtures.
“We live in a very old home and they were knowledgeable and efficient.”
Can old faucets be fixed, or do they need replacing?
It depends on the faucet. Doug is very knowledgeable about fixing those old faucets, and he usually sees the faucet on site before he quotes a repair or a new Delta or Moen faucet.
A drip is worth fixing either way. The EPA says a faucet dripping once a second wastes more than 3,000 gallons a year, in its Fix a Leak Week guide. Our tagline is No One Should Live With a Drip. See our faucet repair and replacement page for how that visit works.
What is a stop valve, and why does it matter?
A stop valve is the small shutoff under a sink or behind a toilet that lets you turn off water to that one fixture. When something leaks, it is the first thing you reach for, because it saves you from shutting off the whole house. If water is actively leaking, shut off the fixture’s stop valve, or the main valve if that one will not turn, then call (502) 266-9408.
If a stop valve in your house will not turn, or it drips when you turn it, tell us when you call.
How much water does an old toilet use?
A lot more than a new one. The EPA says older toilets can use as much as 6 gallons a flush, while the federal standard is 1.6 gallons and WaterSense models use 1.28 gallons or less, per its residential toilets page. Toilets are nearly 30 percent of a home’s indoor water use, according to the same page.
If your house still has its original toilet, it may be one of those 6-gallon models. We replace and repair toilets, including brands like Gerber, and our toilet replacement and repair page has the details. Our guide on a running or leaking toilet helps you decide between a repair and a new one.
What about a water heater in an older basement?
An older basement does not rule out a new water heater.
“Doug did a great job moving and replacing our water heater in our older basement.”
Kentucky requires a permit and inspection for every water heater replacement, through the state Division of Plumbing. If your heater is past 10 years, our guide on water heater repair or replacement lists the seven signs to check, and our water heater repair and replacement page covers the visit.
What can I do about a slow sink or tub drain?
A slow kitchen sink, bathroom sink, tub or shower drain is worth a call before it stops completely. We clean those drains, and our drain cleaning page explains how that visit works. Gail W. called us about a kitchen sink in the middle of the holidays.
“…I had an issue with my kitchen sink of course during the holidays when everything is hectic. They got to me right away and helped me out…”
If a drain stops, call (502) 266-9408. During the day, we can rework our schedule to take care of your urgent problem.
What should a plumber check in an older house?
When we are in an older home for one job, we are glad to answer questions about the rest of the house. An older home tends to raise more than one question at a time, from a stiff stop valve to a 6-gallon toilet.
“…That kind of experience and expertise is irreplaceable. And the fact that he helped me over the phone with such a small issue is exactly why I will call them for the inevitable bigger issues that come with an older home.”
On a visit, ask us to look at:
- Faucets that drip after they are turned off
- Stop valves under sinks and behind toilets that will not turn
- Toilets that run, rock or use an old 6-gallon tank
- A water heater past 10 years, or with water around its base
- Any slow kitchen or bathroom drain
- An older sump pump (see sump pump repair and replacement)
“Tina returns calls promptly, gets a service person out as soon as humanly possible and they fix the problem efficiently!”
Lea AnnDurbin Plumbing customer
Questions about plumbing in older Louisville homes
Have a question that is not here? Call the office.
(502) 266-9408Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Can you fix an old faucet, or will I need a new one?
Often it can be fixed. Doug prices the repair or the new faucet once he has seen yours.
Is a small drip worth a service call?
A drip adds up. The EPA says a faucet dripping once a second wastes more than 3,000 gallons a year, and a showerhead dripping 10 times a minute wastes more than 500 gallons a year.
How much does it cost to fix plumbing in an older house?
We give you a price after Doug sees the job. What changes it is the fixture, its size and age, how hard it is to reach, and whether a permit is needed, as it is for a water heater replacement in Kentucky.
How soon can you come out?
We work Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and we give you a two-hour arrival window instead of making you wait all day. Call (502) 266-9408 and Tina or Doug will find you a time.
Request service
Tell us what is going on
Send the form during business hours and we usually call you right back. After hours or on a weekend, we call or text you back. If you would rather talk now, call (502) 266-9408, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
- We call you backTina or Doug, the owners, usually pick up live.
- You get a two-hour windowInstead of waiting all day for the plumber.
- We can call when we are on the wayIf you need to leave work to meet us.
- Doug quotes on siteHe sees the job first, then gives you an accurate quote.