Common Causes of Pipe Leaks: Insight From Your Plumber
Monday, November 15th, 2021
Photo By naimtastik at Shutterstock
On average, household leaks waste about 10,000 gallons of water a year, and about 10 percent of U.S homes have leakage issues that trigger these losses. Apart from wasting water, these leaks damage your home and encourage the growth of unwanted molds, which can affect your health. These damages will require expensive repairs.
Also, it means you’ll be paying for what’s going to the drains or yard. The problem with pipe leaks is that you cannot see some pipework in your home, and a leak may go unnoticed if it develops. To avoid such instances and protect your home from damage, it’s best to learn to identify some situations that result in pipe leaks to help you contact a plumber sooner.
Clogged Drain Lines
If you reside in Knoxville, TN, you may have experienced clogging issues at some point. Clogs can be annoying, but at times, you may fix them using drain cleaning chemicals. However, some can be severe and may need a certified plumber to unclog them.
Failing to address the issue sooner can result in poor indoor air quality and backflow issues. Apart from being irritating, overflowing sinks and toilets can damage your expensive carpets and floors, resulting in costly repairs. Clogs in the water pipes can make pipes leak, break or crack. If left untreated, the water will back up over time. As a result, the pressure increases, causing the pipe to leak.
Additionally, some clogs may contain corrosive products such as cleaners that can corrode your pipes, hence making water escape through them. Therefore, if you have a clogged water line, consider calling a plumbing company to clear it before it becomes worse.
Tree Root Intrusion
Some homeowners plant trees around the yard to boost the value of their homes. If you fail to seek advice from a professional, the trees you plant may end up damaging your underground pipes. Tree roots are a common cause of leaks that happen outdoors. Because trees are growing fast, their roots can grow towards water pipes. As they continue to grow, they misplace water pipes, making them crack or bend.
If you have trees around your home and notice a drop in water pressure or greener patches in the yard, that’s a red flag. It means you have a hidden leak. Call a plumber to inspect your plumbing for tree root intrusion. Also, consider asking a plumbing expert for advice when planting trees in your home.
Temperature Fluctuations
A sudden drop or increase in temperature can cause plumbing pipes to contract or expand. If you reside in areas that experience cold seasons followed by summer or vice versa, it can be hard on your plumbing pipes. A sudden temperature change can result in pipe cracks which eventually lead to leaks, and the problem is prevalent in the winter months.
Metal pipes are more susceptible to cracking due to temperature changes. It can occur in both new and old pipes. Once you experience extreme temperature fluctuations, consult your plumbing company to examine the condition of your pipes and add extra insulation if necessary.
Improper Pipe Laying
Any plumbing project needs the services of certified plumbers. When you hire incompetent experts, they may pretend to offer excellent jobs, yet all they can do is add problems and demand payment for shoddy work. Pipes leaks usually happen because of incorrect pipe placement.
Unqualified technicians may not consider the fact that water has to flow against gravity. That’s why it’s crucial to work with a plumber to install your plumbing systems and add backflow devices if necessary. When handling plumbing issues in your Knoxville, TN home, make sure you look for a reputable plumbing company.
The last thing you would want is to deal with water damage issues, high water bills, and expensive repairs. So, if you believe your pipes are incorrectly layered, a professional can help you assess them.
Broken Seals
When installing plumbing pipes, a technician puts rubber seals in places connecting faucets to the plumbing system. These sealants create a tight connection to eliminate water leaks. Unfortunately, these seals may not remain in good condition forever.
As the appliances get old, seals wear out. When that happens, water can find its way out through the broken seals. Puddles of water or wet spots around your dishwasher or bathroom faucets can be a sign of damaged or loose seals. Don’t wait. Talk to a plumber to repair or replace worn fixtures.
Corrosion
Corrosion in your plumbing fixtures is unavoidable. Although pipes may serve you for decades, they may not last forever. You may decide to insulate them to extend their lifespan, but corrosion can still happen. As pipes age, rust begins to form inside the plumbing pipes.
Since rust is a corrosive element, it will erode the pipes and create openings that leak water. Therefore, if you reside in an older home and spot water leaks, it’s time to replace your existing pipes. Any dripping, discoloration or warping indicates corrosion.
Rusting in pipes can affect water quality and your health. If you spot rusted pipes in your home, don’t hesitate to call a plumber to make necessary replacements. Modern pipes are made of plastic copper, which can withstand corrosion.
High Water Pressure
Having a strong stream of water while taking your morning shower might be nice, but excessive pressure can damage your plumbing pipes. Residential plumbing pipes can handle an optimum water pressure of 60 psi.
Average water pressure in your home should range from 40 to 45 psi. High water pressure above the optimum can create holes in your pipes and eventually result in leaks. In worst scenarios, too much pressure can cause pipe bursts. At times, you may spot a leak after you turn off a faucet.
Need Help Quickly? Talk to Knoxville, TN, Plumber
No one likes plumbing issues, but they still happen. However, fixing it as soon as you experience it can protect your property and save you some money. As a homeowner, you should be keen on how your plumbing system behaves.
Understanding how to spot the causes of pipe leaks, as discussed above, can help you reach out to a plumber sooner if a problem arises. When you need to repair or replace your pipes, consider working with experts at My Professional Plumber. We are ready to help you with any plumbing issues you may have. Our technicians are a call away to respond to plumbing emergencies.