Water and electricity safety inspection in old houses: 5 common hidden dangers and solutions in old apartments in Taipei

Invisible crisis in old houses in Taipei: Why do you need regular water and electricity physical examinations?

Walking through the streets and alleys of Taipei, it is not difficult to find apartments that are over 30 or 40 years old in many alleys full of human touch. These old houses have witnessed the development of the city, but they have also silently endured the erosion of the water and electricity system over the years. According to statistics from the Ministry of Interior’s Real Estate Information Platform, more than 60% of the houses in the Shuangbei area are over 30 years old. These old pipelines are like the blood vessels and nerves of the house. Once there is a problem, it will cause inconvenience in life, or cause fire or water damage in the worst case, and the loss is difficult to estimate.

I often encounter customers who call me and say in an anxious tone that there is a sudden power outage in their home, cancer has appeared on the wall, or the water heater cannot be turned on. Many times, these do not happen "suddenly", but are small problems that have been ignored for many years and finally explode. Rather than waiting for a disaster to occur and then being caught off guard, it is better to take the initiative, understand the common water and electricity hazards in old houses, and learn basic self-inspection methods.

Hidden danger 1: Old wires and non-fuse switches (NFB) with insufficient capacity

This is the most common and dangerous problem in old houses. Thirty or forty years ago, households' electricity needs were simple, and they might only have light bulbs, televisions and refrigerators. But now every household has air conditioners, microwave ovens, dishwashers, washing machines and other high-power-consuming appliances. The diameter of wires (usually only 1.6mm or 2.0mm) and the design of switchboards back then were simply unable to handle the current electricity consumption.

Self-inspection points:

• Wire appearance: Open the socket or switch panel (Be sure to turn off the main power first) and check whether the internal wire insulation sheath has been hardened, cracked or even crumbled.
• Outlet Status: Does the outlet itself or the plug get unusually hot when using an electrical appliance? This could be a warning of a loose contact or an excessive load.
• Switchboards: Check your home for non-fuse switches (NFB). Common main switches in old houses are only 30A or 50A, and the number of branch switches is insufficient, resulting in multiple circuits sharing one switch and easily overloaded.
• Electricity usage habits: Do you often need to use multiple high-power-consuming appliances (such as air conditioners, electric heaters, ovens) at the same time? Do you often use multi-hole extension cords to plug in devices?

Solutions: If you find that the wires are aging or the switches frequently trip, it is strongly recommended to hire qualified electrical technicians to perform "comprehensive wire replacement" and "switchboard renewal." Modern standards recommend that the main switch should be increased to at least 100A~150A, and independent dedicated circuits should be set up for the kitchen, living room, room and each air conditioner. Although this is a large investment, it is the most fundamental way to protect the safety of life and property.

Hidden danger two: corroded and aging tap water and drainage pipelines

In the early days of old houses, galvanized steel pipes were often used as water supply pipes. After more than ten years of use, these pipes can easily rust and scale inside, resulting in smaller water flow, yellowing of water quality, and even rust and leakage from the inside. Drainage pipes are mostly cast iron pipes, which are also at risk of rusting and cracking.

Self-check points:

• Water pressure and water color:Does the water output from the faucet become noticeably smaller during peak water usage hours in the morning and evening? Does the water still have a yellowish or rusty color after turning on the faucet for a while?
• Pipe appearance: Check exposed pipe joints or elbows in bathrooms, kitchens, balconies, etc. for unknown water stains, rust spots or white crystals (mineral deposits from water leakage).
• Ceiling and walls: Check the ceiling of your downstairs neighbor, or your own ceiling or wall corners, for water stains, peeling paint or wall cancer. This could be a sign of a leak in the pipes upstairs or in your home.
• Water meter: Turn off all faucets in your home and observe whether the red triangle pointer (or number) in the center of the water meter is still turning slowly. This can help detect small leaks that are invisible to the naked eye.

Solutions: Completely upgrade water supply pipes to corrosion-resistant "stainless steel corrugated pipes" or "CPVC pipes". Drainage pipes can be replaced with "PVC pipes" or "cast iron pipe lining repair". If it is temporarily impossible to completely replace the pipe, you can ask the master to perform "partial pipe cutting and replacement" for local leakage points. Remember, leak detection is a professional project. Do not trust unsolicited detection or grouting methods. Instead, look for a reputable professional plumber or leak detection company.

Hidden danger three: Failure of bathroom waterproofing layer and insufficient ventilation

The waterproofing engineering standards of old bathrooms are low. After decades of use, the waterproofing layer may have already failed. In addition, early bathrooms usually did not have windows to the outside and relied only on an old exhaust fan, so moisture could not be effectively discharged, leading to wall cancer and mold in the corners of the room or living room on the other side of the wall. Wooden door frames and wardrobes were also prone to decay.

Self-check points:

• When showering, does water seep through the bathroom threshold and onto the floor outside?
• Is the paint peeling off the wall outside the bathroom (usually the bedroom), is there any lifting of the wallpaper or mildew?
• When you touch the tile joints on the bathroom wall, does it feel cold and damp or even moss-covered?

Solutions: If the water leakage is serious, it may be necessary to carry out "overall waterproof renovation of the bathroom", which includes removing floor tiles, re-applying a waterproof layer, installing a water intercepting ditch (sill), etc. If the budget is limited or the problem is not serious, you can start by strengthening ventilation, replace with a bathroom ventilation fan with strong exhaust power and low noise, and develop the habit of scraping off accumulated water on the floor with a scraper after bathing and turning on the ventilation fan for at least 30 minutes. For gaps in tiles, you can regularly use anti-mildew silicone or caulking agent to reinforce them.

Hidden danger four: The installation environment of gas water heaters is unsafe

In early apartments, gas water heaters were often installed on balconies or kitchens with poor ventilation, and even window awnings were installed. This can easily cause carbon monoxide poisoning when the doors and windows are closed in winter. In addition, the internal parts of old water heaters are aging and may also be at risk of incomplete combustion.

Safety inspection points:

• Is your water heater an "outdoor type" (RF type) or a "forced exhaust type" (FE type)? Exterior models must not be installed in balconies with additional windows.
• Is there any opening for air convection where the water heater is installed? (There is at least one opening with sufficient area above or below)
• When the water heater burns, is the flame clear blue? If it is red or yellow, it means incomplete combustion.
• Has the water heater exceeded its service life (usually about 5-8 years)?

Solutions: Immediately check whether the water heater installation environment complies with the "Five Safety Essentials": safe brand, correct type, safe installation, regular maintenance, and ventilation. If the environment is not ventilated, priority should be given to moving the water heater to a compliant location or replacing it with a "forced exhaust type" or "electric water heater". Before use every winter, it is recommended to have a qualified gas appliance renovation technician conduct an inspection.

Hidden danger 5: Missing or failed grounding system

Many old houses have no "grounding work" at all, or the grounding wire has long been corroded and broken. The function of grounding is to guide the current into the earth when an electrical appliance leaks to prevent electric shock to the human body. Without grounding, the risk increases when using electrical appliances with metal shells such as washing machines, water heaters, and electric cookers.

Simple judgment: Check the three-hole socket on the wall. Are there only two holes with inserts? Is the third hole (circular grounding hole) fake? Or use a test pen (three-purpose ammeter) to test whether the ground terminal is indeed connected. (This test requires basic electrical knowledge. If you are unsure, please seek professional assistance)

Solution: When updating electrical wires, be sure to ask the master to implement a grounding system that complies with regulations and to ensure that the grounding wire is connected to the socket. For situations where comprehensive updates are temporarily not possible, "leakage circuit breakers" can be installed on high-risk appliances (such as washing machines and refrigerators) to provide an additional layer of protection.

When should you find a professional?

After understanding the hidden dangers, you can conduct a preliminary visual inspection and adjust your living habits. However, in the following situations, please do not DIY and seek help from a professional plumber immediately:

1. There are sparks, burning smell, or continuous abnormal heating from switches or sockets.
2. The main switch trips frequently for no reason, and no clear reason can be found.
3. Discover expanding water stains or leaks on walls and ceilings.
4. There is a slight numbing sensation when touching electrical appliances or faucets.
5. Any project involving changing electrical panels and re-wiring.

There are many problems with water and electricity in old houses, but by facing them squarely and dealing with them, you can make the old house full of memories stay with you safely and comfortably for the next ten years. When looking for a master in the Shuangbei area, in addition to comparing prices, you should also pay attention to whether the other person has a legal license, is willing to explain the problems and construction methods in detail, and provides a reasonable warranty. This is the real responsibility for your home.

New knowledge on air-conditioning power consumption and Taiwan climate maintenance regulations in recent years (2025-2026 current situation)

With the high temperatures in summer breaking historical records and the adjustment of electricity price structure in recent years, the latest statistics from the Energy Administration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs show that air-conditioning equipment accounts for more than 47% of residential electricity consumption in summer. Many people mistakenly believe that if the air conditioner is not cold, they only need to "replenish the refrigerant." However, in fact, refrigerant is not naturally consumed during normal operation in a closed circuit. If the refrigerant is insufficient, it means that there are micro leaks in the copper pipes or joints. Simply replenishing the air conditioner will only treat the symptoms but not the root cause. Refrigerant leakage will aggravate the high temperature overload of the compressor and shorten its service life.

According to Taiwan's standard operating specifications for air-conditioning projects, it is recommended that professional technicians with a refrigeration and air-conditioning decoration technician license perform "full machine high-pressure water washing and evaporator deep sterilization" every 1 to 2 years for detached air-conditioning indoor units. Especially in the humid summer in the Shuangbei Basin, the air drum and water collection tray are easy to breed black mold and jelly-like biofilm. This is also the main reason for the sour smell in the air-conditioning outlet and the backflow of the drainage pipe. Regular maintenance can maintain CSPF (Air Conditioning Seasonal Performance Factor) level one energy efficiency level, which can save an average household 15% to 20% of air conditioning electricity bills every year.

Autonomous simple maintenance vs professional maintenance safety red line

• Homeowners can do by themselves: Remove and clean the nylon filter regularly every 2 to 3 weeks (rinse with clean water and dry in a cool place, do not expose it to the sun to avoid deformation and embrittlement); clean the air outlet blades of the indoor unit with a dry cloth; check whether there is any accumulation of debris within 50 cm around the outdoor unit that hinders heat dissipation.
• Professional technicians must be entrusted according to regulations: Refrigerant pressure testing and leakage repair welding, high-pressure cleaning of indoor unit air drums and aluminum fins with liquid chemicals, reset of the drainage slope of hidden cold water pipes in the ceiling, and 220V dedicated power circuit configuration and leakage circuit breaker replacement.