Vancouver’s older neighborhoods, such as Kits, Mount Pleasant, or Grandview-Woodland, are filled with character homes. However charming they may be, they come with plumbing systems that were never designed to meet modern demands. If you’re dealing with constant drain clogs, it’s likely your home’s plumbing has a few age-related issues.
Let’s break down the six most common causes and what you can do about them.
1. Grease and Soap Scum Buildup
In older kitchen plumbing, decades of grease, food particles, and soap scum accumulate in the pipe walls, narrowing flow and creating stubborn blockages. It’s not just what goes down the drain; now, it’s what’s been sitting there for years.
What helps:
Hydro-jetting clears years of gunk and gives your drains a fresh start.
2. Tree Root Intrusion
Mature trees are beautiful, but their roots can infiltrate clay or concrete sewer pipes, which are often found in homes built before 1970. Once roots find moisture, they spread fast and create recurring blockages.
Solution:
We utilize camera inspections to identify root damage and provide trenchless repairs, resolving the issue without disturbing your yard.
3. Poor Plumbing Ventilation
Many older homes lack proper vent stacks or have outdated venting systems. This leads to slow drainage, gurgling sounds, and foul smells as pressure builds in the pipes.
Fix:
Our pros can retrofit modern air admittance valves or update your entire venting system for smooth drainage.
4. Collapsed or Shifted Pipes
Ground movement over decades, especially in sloped neighborhoods like the West Side, can cause underground pipes to crack, collapse, or shift out of alignment, making water drainage nearly impossible.
How we help:
We detect subsurface issues using video tools and offer pipe re-alignment or replacement with minimal disruption.
5. DIY Repairs and Outdated Retrofits
Not all past plumbing jobs were done by professionals. From duct tape fixes to non-compliant materials, these quick solutions often lead to repeat issues.
Impero Advantage:
We assess your entire system and bring everything up to code safely and permanently.
6. Hair and Biofilm in Bathroom Drains
Hair, skin cells, and residue from shampoos and soaps form a sticky sludge in aging pipes. This biofilm doesn’t go away with boiling water or vinegar.
What we do:
Enzyme-safe cleanouts, mechanical snaking, and proper drain maintenance ensure smooth operation.
Why Vancouver Homeowners Trust Impero Plumbing
- We specialize in older Vancouver plumbing systems
- We offer camera inspections, hydro-jetting, and full pipe restoration
- You get honest pricing and same-day service across the city
Stop unclogging the same drain every month. Contact Impero Plumbing for a long-term solution that lasts.
