Often times, a small problem can become a large problem if it’s left alone. Even something like a leaking pipe can lead to an increase in water bills, foundational damage, and much more.
At the same time, stopping big problems from occurring can be just as big as fixing small ones. By finding and repairing your leaking pipes, you can prevent bigger problems prior to them happening. These are the four most notable reasons why pipes leak. Once you understand why your pipes are leaking, you’ll know how you have to properly fix them.
Corrosion
Pipes corrode for several reasons. Hard, mineral-rich water scrapes away at the inside of pipes harder than softer water. The acidic chemicals in chemical drain cleaners eat away at your pipes over time. When pipes are improperly fitted together, metals with opposing charges can wear each other down.
The longer you let your pipes corrode, the worse the problem gets. There’s no reliable way to fix corroded pipes. If your pipes corrode, you should replace them right away. After you’ve replaced your pipes, look into the reason why your previous pipes corroded. A pro can help you determine the cause of the corrosion and make sure it doesn’t happen again.
High Water Pressure
If your water pressure is a bit too high, it can create pipe ruptures, water waste, and leaks. A majority of pipes have a recommended pressure maximum of 80 psi. If your water supplier pushes out water harder than 80 psi, you could have a pressure problem.
Movement of Surrounding Infrastructure
Houses their own way of functioning. Foundations settle, walls shift, and things move over time. All those movements, no matter how tiny, can affect the things in the home–including the pipes.
As the house moves, it could force pipes to move, jostle around, or separate. Now depending on how drastic t the pipe separation, your pipes could begin leaking or at worse, rupture. If you think your pipes have moved, you should call in a professional Long Beach Plumber to help re-adjust them.
Clogs
A decent amount of things create clogs in your pipes. Also take into consideration that grease and hair build up inside pipes over time. Small objects often get lodged inside pipes after someone mistakenly flushes them down a drain. Furthermore, corrosion on the inside of pipes can cause a stop in water movement over time and lead to clogs.
No matter how they happen, clogs are one of the most common causes for leaking pipes. They cause back-ups, which drive up the pressure in your pipes and lead to leaks. When it comes to fixing clogs, our first tip is to avoid using chemical drain cleaners. They might clear the clog, but they’ll also eat away at the underlying pipe. Instead, call in drain cleaning professionals. We can open up the pipes, remove clogs, and get everything back in working order.