Common Plumbing Problems in Older Arvada Homes
Olde Town Arvada and the surrounding neighborhoods have a large stock of homes built between the 1940s and 1970s. These homes have good bones, but their plumbing systems were installed with materials and standards from a different era. Arvada Plumbing Pros specializes in diagnosing and addressing the specific issues that come with an older Arvada home’s plumbing system. Call (720) 787-0333 for a full system assessment.
Problem 1 | Galvanized Supply Pipes
Homes built before 1975 in Arvada were almost universally plumbed with galvanized steel supply pipe. Galvanized pipe corrodes from the inside out as the zinc coating erodes, especially under Denver Water’s hard water chemistry. The corrosion narrows the pipe diameter over decades, reducing water pressure throughout the home, and creates structural weak points that eventually leak or fail outright.
If your home has never had its supply lines replaced and was built before 1975, galvanized pipe is almost certainly still in service somewhere in the system, even if some sections were patched with copper or PEX over the years. Our full comparison of galvanized vs PEX repiping covers the signs of failing galvanized pipe and what repiping involves in detail.
Problem 2 | Clay Tile Sewer Lines and Root Intrusion
Clay tile sewer pipe was the standard material for residential sewer lines in Arvada through the 1970s. The pipe itself is durable, but the joints between sections, sealed with mortar or rubber gaskets, develop small gaps as the ground shifts over decades. Tree roots seek out the moisture inside these pipes and grow into the gaps, eventually creating root masses that obstruct flow.
Recurring drain backups, especially in the lowest fixtures of the home, are the hallmark symptom. Our detailed guide on tree root intrusion in drain lines covers the warning signs and the difference between temporary clearing and permanent CIPP lining repair. A camera inspection through sewer line repair service is the only way to confirm the condition of a clay tile sewer line without excavation.
Problem 3 | Cast Iron Drain Pipes
Many Arvada homes from the mid-20th century used cast iron pipe for interior drain lines, particularly the main vertical stack. Cast iron is durable but corrodes over many decades, particularly at the bottom of vertical sections where water sits longest and at horizontal runs where sediment accumulates along the pipe bottom.
Corroding cast iron drain pipe shows symptoms including slow drainage that does not respond well to standard drain cleaning, rust-colored residue around drain openings, and in advanced cases, a metallic or sewage smell from the pipe itself even when no clog is present. Cast iron drain replacement is more invasive than supply line repiping since drain pipes are typically larger diameter and often run through walls and under slabs, but a plumbing inspection with camera equipment can assess the condition of accessible cast iron sections.
Problem 4 | Aging Water Heaters and Hard Water Damage
A water heater in an older Arvada home that has never been flushed accumulates significant sediment from Denver Water’s hard water supply. This sediment reduces efficiency, shortens the heater’s lifespan, and can mask developing tank corrosion until a sudden leak occurs. Our guide to how often to flush a water heater in Colorado explains the maintenance schedule appropriate for this water chemistry.
Beyond the tank itself, older homes often have undersized gas lines or electrical service for the water heater relative to current code, which becomes relevant if you are considering tankless water heater replacement. A water heater over 12 years old in an older home that has not been serviced is a strong candidate for replacement before it fails rather than after.
Problem 5 | Outdated Shutoff Valves and Fixtures
Older Arvada homes commonly have original gate valves at fixture shutoffs and the main water shutoff. Gate valves seize over decades of disuse, and many fail to fully shut off water flow when finally needed, usually during an emergency when a fixture needs to be isolated quickly. A valve that does not close fully turns a simple fixture repair into a larger event because the water supply cannot be isolated.
- Main water shutoff valve: if it has not been operated in years, test it carefully or have a plumber test and replace it with a modern ball valve, which seals reliably and operates with a quarter turn
- Fixture shutoff valves under sinks and toilets: original valves often corrode shut; modern quarter-turn valves should be installed during any fixture replacement
- Toilets manufactured before 1994: use significantly more water per flush than current models, and older flush mechanisms commonly develop leaks at the flapper and fill valve
- Original tub and shower valves: single-handle valves from this era often lack the anti-scald protection required by current code, relevant if young children or elderly residents use the fixture
None of these issues are emergencies individually, but together they represent a system that was built to a different standard than current code requires. Addressing them during planned maintenance, rather than after a failure, is significantly less disruptive.
We assess and address all of these issues for older homes across Jefferson County: Westminster CO · Lakewood CO · Golden CO · Wheat Ridge CO · Broomfield CO
Plumbing in Older Arvada Homes | FAQs
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Own an Older Home in Arvada? Get a Full Plumbing Assessment.
Arvada Plumbing Pros inspects supply lines, sewer lines, water heaters, and fixtures in older Arvada homes and gives you a written, prioritized assessment. Call (720) 787-0333.