No one likes to hear the drip, drip, drip of a leaking faucet. At first glance, it may look like a very simple leak coming from under your kitchen sink. But, did you know a leaky faucet may possibly mean that there is something more serious happening with your plumbing?
When pipes corrode, they leak and cause endless problems for the you and your home. Leaks can be as small as a trickle, but they can also end up being something far more disastrous to your home and belongings. We are going to show you a few warning signals to watch out for, and what to do if you see them.
What Causes a Pipe to Leak from the First Place?
There are several different ways a pipe can start leaking:
Foundation shifts — Small shifts in your home’s foundation (as it warms over time) can create huge adjustments in your water lines, causing them to disconnect or rupture.
High water pressure — High water pressure leads to damaging wear and tear in your pipes. Water zipping through your plumbing at high speeds increases the risk of your pipes bursting. The sudden changes to the direction of water flow can be too much for your pipes to bear, eventually causing leaks.
Tree roots — Tiny cracks in pipes can release water vapor into the surrounding soil, where tree roots will take note and float their way to your pipes, causing large problems.
Corrosion — While not as big of a concern in some of Cincinnati’s newer areas, many older homes in the area utilize aluminum or galvanized steel piping, which can be vulnerable to rust.
Temperature changes — Extreme changes in temperature (generally from cold weather) can cause pipes to crack and start leaking.
To prevent pipes from leaking in the first place, it is important to make certain that all of these factors are under control. If you see anything out of the ordinary, call a licensed plumber at Long Beach, CA to perform an inspection before a small leak becomes a disaster.
Leaking Pipes Can Cause Major Problems For The Entire House
If you ignore leaking pipes long enough they can wreak havoc on your whole home. Poor water quality, warped and stained walls, invasive black mold, and flooding are some of the ways leaky pipes damage your entire house and wind up costing a fortune.
If you find a warped or stained wall in your home, it is most likely from leaky pipes. This damage, unchecked, can diminish the value of your home, costing you greatly in the future if you plan to sell it. Having to replace a wall and the plumbing supporting it can be costly as well.
Extra moisture from your home can lead to mould growth. Mold generally grows in bathrooms, but it can also be found under any sink and behind any wall.
Mold from leaking pipes causes serious health problems and have to be addressed promptly. The longer it is dismissed the worse the damage will be, costing you more.
The worst thing that could happen with unaddressed leaks is, of course, flooding. All it takes is 1 pipe to burst and a deluge of water will come through your home.
It can be costly and timely to fix water damage from flooding. It is far more affordable to keep it from becoming a problem in the first place!
How Do You Know When to Call a Plumber for a Leaking Pipe?
How do you know if your plumbing system is malfunctioning? Look at your water. If your water is discolored or smells foul, these are just a few things to search for. As stated before, if you start to determine your walls become warped and stained you ought to have a plumber out to test for leaking pipes.
Having your plumbing routinely checked by a qualified plumber can prevent many of these issues before they become a problem. Plumbing can rust because of different aspects of water. When a leak starts, your home is at risk for damages and bad water quality.