The thing that comes to mind with plumbing leaks is whether we damaged the pipe. Our thoughts race about whether you, a guest or a family member might have hit them with an item. You wonder whether a pet or an outdoor animal damaged the pipe. There can’t be another reason for the water leaks other than damage.
The truth is most plumbing pipes, like copper pipes, leak because of old age. If you don’t remember the last time you checked your plumbing, do so now. Before upgrading old and leaky pipes, you need to know the causes of leaking pipes. You also need to learn preventative measures to ensure it doesn’t recur for a long time. In this article, we answer a common question, “What causes pipes to leak?”.
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Plumbing Leaks: The Common Causes
Contents
While there are many reasons for plumbing leaks, three stand above the rest, making them the most common leak causes in plumbing systems.
Broken Seals
The connection between the water and appliances may have a broken seal somewhere. A dishwasher, washer/dryer, and refrigerator, for example, have seals where water flows into them, and they can use the water to make ice or clean dirty dishes/laundry. The source of the leak could lead here because the seal can wear out or break apart with continued use. A sign of this occurrence is water leaking from the appliance.
Clogs
A clog blocks water from flowing through the pipe freely. That causes a backup, putting pressure on the pipe walls to handle excess water. The result is a leaky pipe from a hole or a crack created by the water because the narrow plumbing pipe cracked under pressure.
Corrosion
Rust, or corrosion, occurs when the pipe walls weaken over time because of hard water, high water pressure, drain cleaners, or something else. When the pipes corrode, it loses the strength to handle water flowing through them at different speeds and pressures. A high water force or pressure flowing through a weak wall lining creates a leak at the most corroded section of the pipe system.
Plumbing Leaks: Preventative Measures
The phrase “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” rings true for plumbing leaks. When you take good care of your plumbing, it will operate for a long time. If it must leak, ensure it doesn’t happen because of something you caused. There are two things you may do that you need to stop doing.
Stop Using Chemical Drain Cleaners
The simple solutions are not always the best ones. Chemical drain cleaners may remove the clog, but they don’t take care of the pipes. Instead, the cleaners eat away at the pipe wall lining, weakening its sturdy structure. With continued use, the harsh chemicals and the overbearing water pressure create a hole in the weak pipeline to the outside.
Stop Treating Your Drains Like a Second Garbage Can
Do not flush loose food down the drain. The drain is too narrow to be a second garbage can. When you let food inside, the food gets stuck inside the pipe and causes other foods to get stuck with it. Over time, the food builds a clog so tight that no water can pass through. That causes a leak due to increased water pressure inside the pipeline with nowhere to go.
Even garbage disposals limit what food types can enter without disruption. Instead, protect pipes using a sink strainer to collect loose food and empty the strainer food in the wastebasket.
Plumbing Leaks: What to Do
Most leak problems require a plumbing professional to repair the damage. During the thorough inspection, a plumbing expert uses the most up-to-date technology to discover leaking pipes in your plumbing system. The technology can detect current problems and upcoming problems and resolve all of them now to save money, time, and headaches later.
Cracks, holes, fractures, burst lines, broken pipes, and loose fittings are perfect for experts to fix. A loose-fitting pipe leak is repairable by tightening it with a plumber’s wrench. Don’t use DIY techniques to fix complicated plumbing problems. Contact experts like us instead.
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Conclusion
Eventually, all plumbing pipes need an upgrade to an advanced version of themselves. A leak is a primary reason to upgrade. Leaving leaky pipes alone increases water damage to flooring and walls. The damp area causes mold and mildew, weakening the home structure if left unattended. When you know the cause of the leak, you can find and upgrade it quickly and avoid potential water damage.
As a precaution, you should always contact Robinson Plumbing for a plumbing leak. The experts will use their experience and knowledge to replace a leaky pipe with a new one. Be sure to call us for any more plumbing-related problems. We will get your plumbing pipes working again in no time.
Call Robinson Plumbing For All Of Your Plumbing Requirements
Contact Robinson Plumbing, one of the most trusted plumbing companies in the Lehigh Valley, for reliable plumbing services. We have lots of plumbing services ranging from water heater replacements, whole-house water filter installations, toilet repairs and replacements, water leak repairs, and more. We always give a wide range of solutions when possible for any plumbing repairs. This allows you to choose the best options for your budget and home.
We proudly offer the most affordable and best plumbing services in the Lehigh Valley area. Our plumbers all have the proper licenses and expertise to ensure your satisfaction. All of our work comes with a guarantee. Contact Robinson Plumbing today and schedule your free estimate. Click the link to view our service area.
Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or click here to contact us for any questions that you might have!