Plumbing is a wonderful convenience. Your home and yard can stay clean and waste-free, unlike in the past, when everyone disposed of things that belong in a plumbing system right out of the window and into the street. Thankfully, modern technology has made our world much more sanitary and easier to live in. However, as great as it is to have a plumbing system, it does come with its drawbacks. For instance, if your plumbing system fails, you may experience problems like leaks. We are here to help you learn how to prevent plumbing leaks.
Can Plumbing Leaks Cause Serious Damage?
Plumbing leaks can cause serious damage to your health and home. Plumbing leaks allow moisture to penetrate your home. Eventually, moisture leads to mold and mildew growth. Mold and mildew can cause respiratory infections, allergy-like symptoms, and more.
Moisture, mold, and mildew can also cause damage to your home. Soon, you’ll notice staining and rot if you do not take a leak seriously, especially in areas such as basements and crawlspaces. It’s important to take care of moisture immediately to prevent dangerous fungal growth and structural damage.
5 Tips to Prevent Plumbing Leaks
Ready to learn how to prevent plumbing leaks? We’re ready to teach you. Check out our top five tips for preventing plumbing leaks:
1. Keep Up With Cleaning
When you don’t clean your drains, it can cause chemical deposits to form within the pipes. These chemical deposits start to eat away at the material of your pipes, which then results in leaks. Thus, regular cleaning is an important preventative measure.
2. Use the Right Drain Cleaners
Perhaps you’re patting yourself on the back after reading the first step. Maybe you use drain cleaner all of the time, and you’re feeling confident in your maintenance routine. But are you using the right types of cleaners? Many commercial products have harsh chemicals in them that can damage your pipes over time, especially if you have a septic system. Those with a septic system need to purchase a specialized cleaner or use natural methods like baking soda and vinegar.
Also, make sure not to go overboard with cleaning. Your pipes need to be cleaned every year or so. Anything more is excessive when you’re using harsh chemicals.
3. Check Your Water Pressure
Your water pressure is supposed to be 60 PSI and under. If it is higher, it will put strain on your pipes, eventually leading to damage and—you guessed it—leaks. To check your water pressure, purchase a pressure gauge. Then, turn off the water, both inside and outside. Do not leave anything running. Your washing machine, dishwasher, icemaker, faucets, etc., should all be off.
Now, go outside and find a faucet. Attach the pressure gauge and ensure that it is tight. Then, turn on the water. Your ideal number is between 45 and 55. Any reading lower or higher means you need to call a professional.
4. Make Sure Your Joints Are Sealed
Loose, improperly-sealed joints are one the most common causes of leaks. Sealing joints requires you to disassemble part of your pipe, then use a number of special tools. Thus, it’s better to leave this task to a professional. The last thing you want to do is worsen a problem with a DIY solution.
5. Get a Water Softener
Hard water is a major culprit that causes pipe damage. Water hardness refers to the amount of minerals like magnesium and calcium present in your water. If you have a large amount of dissolved minerals in your water, it will start to corrode your pipes after a while. A water softener will fix this problem and increase the lifespan of your pipes.
We Can Help Prevent Plumbing Leaks!
Are you experiencing plumbing leaks or in need of preventative maintenance? Our team can help you. Our professionals are fully licensed, bonded, and insured, and we have the know-how and experience to fix any plumbing problem you may be struggling with. Contact us today to learn more about our services!