Finding your build year
- County records
- Jefferson County Assessor property records usually list the year built
- Closing documents
- Your inspection report often notes the era and the visible plumbing types
- Clues in the house
- Stamps on the back of toilet tanks and water heater data plates date the fixtures, not the house
- Remodels
- Permit history from the city or county shows major plumbing work, if it was permitted
Typical materials by era
| Era built | Supply lines often found | Drain and sewer often found | Main watch points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Late 1940s to 1950s | Galvanized steel, some copper | Cast iron inside, clay sewer lateral | Corroded galvanized, roots in the clay |
| 1960s to 1970s | Copper, leftover galvanized in places | Cast iron or early plastic, clay lateral | Mixed-metal joints, aging water heaters, suspect flooring materials |
| 1980s to 1990s | Copper; polybutylene in some homes | Plastic drains, plastic or clay lateral | Polybutylene fittings, if present |
| 2000s to now | PEX and copper | Plastic drains and laterals | Fitting failures, appliance lines, upstairs laundries |
Checks for every era
- Find and test the main shutoff valve. Replace it if it sticks or weeps.
- Look at every visible supply line for rust, green or white crust, or drips.
- Replace worn braided or rubber supply hoses on toilets, sinks and washers.
- Note the water heater's age from its data plate.
- In an older house with trees nearby, get a camera inspection of the sewer lateral.
- Make sure the dishwasher and refrigerator lines aren't kinked or rubbing.
Questions for a plumber doing a whole-house review
- Which supply materials are in this house, and how much of each?
- Are there fittings or materials here with a known history of failing?
- Is the water pressure in a normal range, and is there a pressure regulator?
- Which replacements would you do first?
Common questions
My house is from the 1950s but looks fully updated. Do these risks still apply?
Maybe less, but check. Remodels often replace the visible pipe and leave original runs inside walls, under slabs or out to the street. A plumber can trace what was replaced, and permit history can confirm major work.
Is newer plumbing always safer?
It corrodes less, but newer homes have more fixtures, more appliance connections and more upstairs laundries and bathrooms. A leak in those spots lands on finished living space, so sensors and regular checks still pay off.
How do I find out what a previous owner changed?
Ask the City of Lakewood or the county for the permit history at your address, read your purchase inspection report, and look for dated stamps on fixtures. Unpermitted work won't show up anywhere, so a plumber's look is still worth it.
General information for Lakewood, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.