When you think of home improvement, you likely conjure up visions of new paint colors, installing cabinetry, putting on an addition, or renovating the kitchen.

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Did you know that, your plumbing might be in need of a makeover before the aesthetic aspects of your home, especially if you live in an older structure? The Tiefenthaler team has extensive experience with historic home preservation, so they can offer a few tips on knowing when you need to replace your pipes.

• If you’re experiencing low water pressure, especially when attempting to use the hot tap, you might have galvanized pipes that have become clogged due to corrosion. In some cases, you’ll need to replace the entire plumbing system which is extremely expensive. Consult with an expert to determine whether you can replace just the corroded sections, and then fix the remaining pipes over time.

• Not all plumbing issues are inside your older home. You might need to replace the sewer line if your low water pressure problems originate in the main pipe that extends from the house, through the front yard, and on to the street. Tree roots can grow into the pipes, or they can be crushed by snow or other heavy objects.

• You might also need to replace the plumbing in your older home if you notice that your tap water is discolored or contains debris. This points to a leak somewhere in the home or main sewer line that’s allowing dirt to enter the supply line.

At Tiefenthaler, our home improvement experience extends from new construction to historic preservation to design of outbuildings and carriage houses. Please give us a call if you have questions on our areas of expertise. We maintain partnerships with the top architects and interior designers in the Fairfield County area, and have custom millwork professionals on staff.