If you have ever experienced a plumbing leak, you know how stressful and costly the damage can be. Instead of waiting around and hoping for the best, it is a good idea to be proactive in trying to keep water leaks at bay.
The most common signs of plumbing leaks are pooling water, mold growth, a spike in your water bills, and a musty odor. The most common culprits behind leaks can be attributed to only a few sources. Based on our experience here in Salt Lake City, UT, these are the most common reasons.
1 - Pipe Corrosion
Hands down, the most common reason for your pipes leaking is corrosion. This risk increases if you’ve got copper pipes and/or if there is a high mineral count in your water.
Signs of corrosion may include moisture on the pipes and evidence of mineral deposits. You can reduce this risk by replacing copper pipes with PVC, which is more resistant to rust.
It’s a good idea to run the water often to flush the pipes out of the sediment and to keep the water at a moderate temperature.
2 - Water Pressure Running High
There is nothing at the end of a long day than standing under the spray of a hot shower. While you may like the force of the water, your pipes won’t do as well under the pressure.
The force of the water hammers away at the pipes and will eventually cause damage and leaks.
In order to keep this from happening, reduce your water pressure to the 45-60 psi zone.
3 - Old Plumbing
Like other components in your home, eventually, your plumbing will run its lifespan and then be more vulnerable to damage.
Eventually, due to age, it will break and decay, and you’ll be forced to look at water leak repair. Why not be proactive and get your plumbing updated before leaks have a chance to happen?
4 - Water Quality
When is the last time that you had your water tested? If the water quality is poor, not only can this be hazardous to your health, it is also hazardous to your plumbing.
The toxins and excess minerals bind to the pipes and can cause weakness, decay, and water leaks.
Put in a water filtration system to keep those impurities from circulating through your pipes and reaching your taps. If you are concerned about water leaks, why not have a full water leak detection done by your trusty plumber?