Leaky Pipes in Your Home: What Are the Common Causes?
When it comes to leaks, be aware of possible implications. In your home, sewage build-up can encourage mold growth and unpleasant smells if untreated. But, avoiding the ill effects isn’t always straightforward (especially for those who have little to no plumbing experience).
It’s harder to spot a problem since the pipe is hidden under your home, inside walls, or underneath cabinetry. An unnoticed leak might cause severe property damage because of the excessive water.
Leaks in plumbing come in all types and sizes. Inevitable leaks can lead to flooding in your home, while others aren’t as bad.
The type of leak determines the technique you will use to stop the leak. The pipes in your home could be leaking even if you don’t know the most typical causes.
Common Causes of Leaky Pipes
It is difficult to detect any leaks in your pipes at home since many of them are buried. Contact a professional early and avoid potential catastrophe if you understand and recognize the most likely leak cause.
1. Broken Seals
Many plumbing systems are composed of iron pipes. A contractor will apply rubber sealant around any connections or points, such as your dishwasher door, to ensure everything is watertight when appliances are being installed.
As appliances age, their sealing may deteriorate and possibly end up failing. If you’ve observed condensation on the appliances, you may have a cracked seal. Contact companies like PuroClean in case of water damages.
2. Clogged Lines
While a blockage doesn’t appear to be an immediate risk, some could cause overflow or broken pipes. This can lead to pressure building around the obstruction, which can cause damage to the structure. Furthermore, if the blockage has corrosive components, like household chemicals, it could increase the degradation of your pipes.
Setting up hair traps and controlling what you allow to trickle through the gutters will help keep blockages from developing within your pipes. Clogs can also occur because of obstructions in drain pans for air handlers and gutters. To prevent this from happening, make sure you keep your HVAC system free of obstructions. Contact a restoration company for water remediation.
3. Corrosion
Rust may cause damage to the pipes inside your home as time passes, eventually forming an opening for water to exit through. A renovation may be needed if the house is older and leaking.
Although brass pipes can last up to 70 years, galvanized steel pipes deteriorate after 20 years. Also, corrosion may occur in your pipes if the water’s minerals and pH are out of balance.
4. Loose Water Connectors
Pipelines and hoses that supply water to your appliances might become dislodged from time to some point. This is typically due to movement or shifting and may result in a leak.
For instance, your washer’s hose could leak because of the shaking generated due to the spin. If water starts flowing straight from the supply line or puddles develop around the appliances, you probably have a loose or faulty water connection.
5. High Water Pressure
While high water pressure feels wonderful during a shower, the more forcefully the water hits the inside pipework, the more the chance of leakage. In the worst case, improper pressure could cause pipes to burst. Most faucets and pipelines are able to withstand pressures of 60 psi. If you’re concerned about your pressure, or observed leaks, you should have a licensed plumber look over and adjust the tension. Contact a restoration company in case of water damages; visit them online for more information.