How to Prevent and Address a Water Leak
Big or small, water leaks can cause all sorts of damage. Small leaks can go undetected for days or weeks, causing extensive damage to your home, unseen until it’s too late. Big leaks, on the other hand, are good because they’re usually hard to miss.
But, at the same time, they can do lots of damage in a small amount of time. In this article, you’ll learn about common water leaks, how professionals go about fixing them, and some things you can do to avoid massive water damage when your plumbing does sprout a leak.
How Is Water Leak Repair Done?
There are many different areas of the home that are susceptible to water leaks. The type and location of the leak dictate the repair method. Most commonly, you’ll find a leak at a fixture, like a faucet or a showerhead. But, sometimes you can also have leaks in drain lines, like under your sink or beneath your tub. While most common leaks can be spotted simply by looking in the right place, underground leaks are entirely different. If you think you have a leak under your house or in the walls, a professional plumber can use sound technology to listen for the leak. With ground microphones, listening discs, and similar tools, plumbers can hear water escaping a pipe even under thick concrete.
Depending on the severity and placement of the leak, plumbers can fix them in different ways. Usually, replacing the affected pipe is most cost-effective. However, if your pipes are old enough that leaking could become commonplace, a plumber may suggest repiping the whole house. The best plumbers always go over all the options available to you, in detail.
How Leaking Starts
Leaks can start for a variety of reasons. One of the most common is a broken seal or a loose pipe joint. These kinds of leaks often start small and get bigger as time goes on. Luckily, most of these happen where you’ll notice them fairly quickly. Other leaks can be caused by corrosion, a home’s foundation shifting, and tree roots moving pipes. Even excess rain can cause underground pipes to start leaking.
Another common cause of plumbing leaks is clogged drains. In extreme cases, a big clog can not only back up your drain, but it can cause a break in the pipe. If you do notice a drain becoming clogged, it’s a good idea to get it fixed as soon as you can.
Leakage Prevention and Awareness
One telltale sign that you have a leak is a change in water pressure. If your shower suddenly isn’t so powerful, or the kitchen faucet seems to be struggling to deliver water, you may have a leak.Other signs include a higher-than-normal water bill, mold or mildew growth, and wet spots in your drywall, concrete, or floors. Also, keep a lookout for a change in water color and the appearance of sediment or other foreign materials in your water.
If you see any of these signs, it’s time to call a professional that can locate and fix the leak. To prevent leaks, the best tactic is regular maintenance and inspections. An annual plumbing inspection can help you prevent leaks in several ways.
A plumbing tech will look at every aspect of your plumbing system, including the garbage disposal, water heater, and appliance fixtures. You can also opt for things like drain treatments, pressure tests, and water pressure assessments to make sure your plumbing system is as healthy as can be. Regular plumbing inspections and knowing the leak signs listed above are the two best ways to head-off expensive leaks and ensure peace of mind.
About All Purpose Plumbing
Family owned and operated, All Purpose Plumbing has been serving Tacoma, Washington, with pride for years. Founder Steve Leal has been in the industry since he was only 18, and has brought all his knowledge and expertise to his business. All Purpose Plumbing offers a satisfaction guarantee, expert technicians, and excellent customer service.
