3 Causes of Household Water Leaks and What to Do If You Have One
Discovering a leak in your home is always an unwelcome event. Not only can leaks cause significant damage to your property, but they can also create a messy situation and result in considerable water waste. However, identifying a leak promptly can be challenging since much of your home's plumbing is concealed from view, meaning leaks might not be detected until considerable damage has occurred. Being aware of and vigilant toward scenarios that commonly lead to leaks is an effective strategy for protecting your home against future leak incidents.
High Water Pressure
The good water pressure might be essential for a nice shower but bear in mind that too much water pressure can lead to burst pipes, which is never a nice situation to deal with. Water pressure that is too high or uneven can put a huge strain on your pipes and leave them bursting underneath it. Most pipes and faucets in the home are designed to withstand a certain level of water pressure, and any extra could lead to leaks.
Frozen Pipes
The majority of leaks occur during the winter when pipes are more likely to freeze over. As the water in the pipe reaches freezing point, it creates a block for the water running through the pipe behind it and eventually builds up until the pipe bursts, and the water begins gushing into your home. If you live in an area where it gets quite cold during the winter, it’s worth considering insulating your pipes in good time before the cold weather hits to prevent this situation.
Damaged Pipe Joints
Typically, the connecting areas of your pipes are usually the weakest point in the line. And over time, the pipe joints can weaken, which will eventually lead to leaks. Unfortunately, this isn’t always noticeable until it’s too late since most pipe joints are hidden away. Some telltale signs include loud pipes that make a banging or ticking noise when you run the hot water faucet.
What to Do If You Find a Leak
Trickling leaks from faucets might not be anything to worry about, and they can usually be dealt with quickly by replacing the washer. However, if you are finding water in your home in places that it shouldn’t be, you have water dripping out of light fixtures or you have the signs of a burst pipe, it’s important to call a professional straight away. Ideally you want to work with a company that operates 24/7, such as Bergau Plumbing. This company offers an emergency service just in case you have a serious leak and can also provide you with advice on containing it and minimizing the damage until they arrive. The best thing to do until help arrives is to switch off the water at the mains to stop the flow from the leak; you can usually find the tap for this underneath the sink. Deal with any water damage as soon as possible to prevent further problems.
Leaks in the home can be quite common, and often nothing to worry about. However, if you’ve noticed any of the above types of leaks, these can lead to serious damage and should be dealt with quickly.
