At Elementary Property Inspections, as we perform home inspections throughout the Niagara Region, we often identify older homes with cast iron waste piping. They often look to be in good condition. Should the buyer be concerned?
Cast iron plumbing systems originated in France during the seventeenth century, installing the first large-scale cast iron pipes, contributing as the forerunners to Europe’s sewer history. They believed it was the most robust material to transport water and sewage to a certain distance.
If you live in a home that was built before 1970, chances are high that your waste plumbing system consists of cast iron pipes. Cast iron pipes can corrode over time compromising their structural integrity. Installing this material was a highly labor-intensive job that only the wealthy could afford. Up to this day, it’s an expensive method of choice; and for that reason, PVC became the most common choice for building flexible and durable lines in more modern homes.
