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To avoid the high costs of plumbing repairs, watch for potential problems. If you see any signs of a leak, consider hiring a professional plumber. A pro can assess the level of damage and make the appropriate repairs.

Plumbing leaks are always better tackled immediately. You can also fix any minor repairs yourself or ask the plumber if they can use less expensive materials.

Yes, rats can come up through drains. They can crawl through basement floor drains, lateral house drains, and roof drains. Installing rat blockers in your drains is the best way to repel rats and prevent them from entering your pipes. These are one-way valves that allow water and waste to flow out but keep rats from getting in.

Some older homes have toilets in the basement to combat sewage backups. This type of toilet, also known as a Pittsburgh potty, acted as a safety valve over the incoming sewer line. If a line backed up, it would back up into the toilet because it was the lowest fixture in the home, keeping it out of sight and away from the finished areas of the house.

Basement toilets were also used by workers with messy jobs, like those who worked in coal mines or steel mills. This way, they could clean up and avoid tracking dirt through their home.

Replacing cast iron pipes when they’ve reached the end of their life span is key to preventing leaks and clogs. Over time, cast iron pipes corrode and experience pipe scale, which thickens the inside of the walls and increases the chance of clogs while also decreasing water flow. As the material deteriorates, you could experience costly leaks that increase reparation expenses. 

Cast iron can last between 50 and 75 years, but it’s still a good idea to check for leaks as your pipes approach the 25-year mark, as pipes can already show signs of deterioration within the first three decades.