Plumbing in the West End, Winston-Salem

About the West End

The West End Historic District was planned as a picturesque streetcar suburb at the turn of the twentieth century. Its buildings date from about 1887 to 1930, with more than 500 contributing buildings including Queen Anne, Classical Revival, Colonial Revival and Craftsman homes (West End Historic District). Curving streets follow the hills, many houses have been converted to apartments and back again, and some of the largest homes have had several kitchens and baths added over the years.

Plumbing in houses this old

A West End house built in 1905 has seen indoor plumbing standards change several times. Original fixtures may have been replaced two or three times, and each generation of work tended to tie new pipe into whatever was there. Typical findings include:

• Galvanized supply lines remaining in walls or under floors, causing low pressure or discolored water at some fixtures but not others.
• Cast-iron and lead-caulked drain joints in basements and crawlspaces, some cracked or weeping.
• Drum traps and undersized vents in older bathrooms, which drain slowly and can let sewer gas through when traps siphon dry.
• Former apartment plumbing left behind from conversions: abandoned lines, extra water heaters, and drains that were capped but not removed.

Hills and sewer laterals

The West End's hills help sewer lines drain, but they also mean some houses sit below the street or have long laterals running downhill through yards with old trees. Roots and cracked clay joints are common, and houses below street level need extra care with backflow. If sewage ever backs up, call City Link at 311 or 336-727-8000 first so the utility can check the portion of the line in the public right-of-way (WSFC Utilities, Sewer Backup Policy & Responsibilities). A camera inspection before buying a West End home is a smart move.

Repiping with plaster walls

Many West End homes still have original plaster, and owners understandably want as few holes as possible. Flexible PEX can usually be routed through basements, crawlspaces, closets and attics with small, planned openings. Ask how openings will be patched; plaster repairs take a different approach than drywall. See repiping.

Water quality and old pipes

The neighborhood's water comes from Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities and is very soft, about 17.5 ppm hardness on average, with orthophosphate added for corrosion control (Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities, 2025 Water Quality Report). Discolored water in an old house is usually from the house's own aging pipes or water heater, not the water supply. Running the cold tap for a few minutes after the house sits unused is a good habit in homes with old plumbing.

Tell us about your house and what is going on, and we'll call you back.

Plumbing services in West End

• Drain Cleaning
• Water Heater Repair & Replacement
• Leak Detection & Repair
• Sewer Line Repair
• Emergency Plumber
• Frozen & Burst Pipes
• Toilet & Faucet Repair
• Repiping
• Garbage Disposals

Sources for West End facts: West End Historic District; WSFC Utilities, Sewer Backup Policy & Responsibilities; Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities, 2025 Water Quality Report.