What Causes Plumbing Leaks?
Understanding Leaks and How To Fix Them
One of the most common questions we get at DR Plumbing Hillsboro is about leaks. Most homes experience plumbing leaks once in a while. Plumbing leaks may result from various reasons; they can be external or internal. The important thing is to identify the potential cause of the pipe leaks, and you are good to go. However, most leaks happen due to wear and tear and also age. You need not worry about these leaks as you can hire a professional plumber to fix the problem. Below are the things you should know about plumbing leaks.
What Causes Plumbing Leaks?
It’s essential to understand the common causes of the leaks so that you can call for plumber early. The following are some of the causes of plumbing leaks.
Clogs- Clogging in the pipes causes most pipe leaks in households. The clogs result in high pressure in the pipes due to the blockage. When this happens, the pipe cannot withstand the water pressure for long; hence it burst. However, if the clog in the pipes has corrosive substances, the leak speeds up, leading to damage. One can prevent clogs by being cautious of what flows through the drain and installing hair traps in the pipes.
Corrosion- Due to the aging of the pipes, corrosion and rust may eat away the pipes causing leakages. Corrosion may occur due to your water ph and mineral contents in the water. It’s essential to upgrade the plumbing system when renovating your home to prevent future leaks.
Broken seals- During the installation of appliances, contractors install rubber seals around connections to ensure everything is watertight. However, as they age, these seals begin to wear out, causing leaks. If you notice this in your home, it’s crucial to hire a plumber to fix things.
Ways to Prevent Plumbing Leaks
The best way to prevent pipes from leaking is to carry out proper maintenance practices to your plumbing systems. With this, you are sure that no pipe leaks will ever occur. The following are ways to prevent plumbing leaks from happening.
Avoid using chemical drain cleaners. The chemical drain cleaners provide a quick fix to unblock your pipes. However, they can be harmful to your pipes. These chemical substances eat away the pipes after prolonged use hence results in leaks.
Avoid clogging your drainage system. Most people drain garbage into the drainage, not knowing they will cause clogs in the future. Therefore, it’s important to avoid flushing garbage into the drains. Doing so will prevent pipe leaks; thus, your drains will run smoothly.
Things to Do When You Identify a Plumbing Leak
If a loose fitting is a cause for the pipe leaks, you can fix it yourself. The only thing you need to do is to tighten the pipes back together. However, in case of a pipe burst, you will need to call for a professional plumber as it can be challenging to fix the problem.
Homeowners need to address pipe leaks urgently as they can cause a significant problem in the homes. Therefore, it’s essential to check your drainage system regularly to help identify any problem in a good time. Conducting these inspections will help in saving time and money. It’s always advisable to let a professional plumber fix your plumbing issues since they have the skills. With this, you will never have to experience pipe leaks in the future.