Ignite Plumbing & Heating
Plumbing Challenges in Older Norwich Homes — What to Expect
Victorian terraces, Edwardian semis, and 1930s bungalows all come with their own plumbing quirks. Here's what we find most often.
Lead pipework
Properties built before 1970 may have lead supply pipes. Lead is a health hazard at any level and these should be replaced. We can identify lead pipes on inspection and quote for replacement — often a morning's work for the internal section.
Gravity-fed systems
Many pre-1980 Norwich homes have a gravity-fed hot water system with a cold water tank in the loft and a hot water cylinder in the airing cupboard. These work well but limit shower pressure and require a pump for modern showers.
Galvanised steel pipes
Some Norwich properties from the 1940s–60s have galvanised steel cold water pipes. These corrode from the inside over decades, reducing bore diameter and water pressure. We replace with copper or plastic.
Cast iron drainage
Pre-1960s properties often have cast iron underground drainage. This can crack, especially in clay soil, and roots love it. CCTV survey before any major renovation is strongly advised.
Victorian brickwork and pipe routing
Victorian Norwich terraces often have pipes buried in the external wall cavity — sometimes in the external wall itself. Finding the route before any building work is critical. We use acoustic detection to map pipe runs without opening walls unnecessarily.