Table Of Contents
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Household Water Leak Causes
Pipe leaks are a common problem that can lead to significant damage in your home. Although these leaks may seem minor, they can develop into critical issues if not properly addressed. Major pipe leaks can cause flooding in your home, damaging your property and belongings.
Leaks in pipes can happen for many reasons, including water pressure problems and climate damage. Leaks or other plumbing problems are often accompanied by other issues such as rust at the pipes' junction points, damaged joints, expansion, and contraction, among others.
Follow this guide to uncover more about what causes pipes to leak and what signs to look out for when dealing with these issues.
Causes Of Pipe Leaks
Pipe clogs
Although clogs might not seem an immediate threat, they can cause overflowing and burst pipes. For instance, clogs can cause pressure build-up and potentially lead to structural damage. Furthermore, clogs can eat away at your pipes if they contain toxic chemicals and corrosive substances.
The leading cause of clogs in pipes is hair. Obstructions can also cause clogs in your air handlers' drain pans or gutters. Clogs can be easily identified by the slow water draining from your sink or tub. You can install hair traps to prevent hair and other debris from clogging your pipes.
There are also numerous ways of unclogging your pipes. You can use a plunger and pour boiling water down the drain to remove clogs. This will help to dissolve grease and soap. To clear stubborn drain clogs, you can use a drain snake. If a clog is already causing a leak, it's possible to repair or replace the pipe.
You can get new parts at your local home improvement shop for P-traps below the sink. You'll require emergency plumbing for sewage pipes deeper in your water system. However, avoid using chemical drain cleaners on your blocked drains. These chemicals can cause pipe damage and corrosive reactions.
Pipe corrosion
With time, your pipes age, and corrosive substances such as rust build up in your plumbing system. The corrosion causes cracks in your pipes and allows water to leak. This is more pronounced in homes where galvanised pipes are in use. Although PVC is the most durable option for pipe materials, it can be damaged by chemical exposure.
Here are some signs of deterioration in your plumbing system:
- Discoloured water.
- Water with a metallic taste or smell.
- Loud bangs, clangs, or gurgles from the pipes.
- Changes in the pipe's colour.
- Copper pipes are greenish/blue.
- Steel pipes are bumpy red.
- Anti-scald devices can cause temperature fluctuations in hot water from the faucet.
- Low water pressure is due to corrosion blocking the lines.
One major cause of corrosion in pipes is unbalanced water pH or mineral content. A plumber can identify other areas of corrosion in your plumbing and replace damaged pipes. You should consider replacing your plumbing system if it's older than 30 years, as older lines are not as resistant to corrosion as modern pipes.
High water pressure
Although high water pressure has advantages, it's one of the leading causes of leaking pipes. Pipes can only withstand a certain pressure level before they give in. In extreme cases, high water pressure causes the pipes to burst.
You may be experiencing excessive water pressure if you observe the following signs:
- As pipes attempt to handle excessive water flow, loud shuddering sounds can be heard.
- When the water heater drains too fast, there is a limited hot water supply.
- Surprisingly high-water bills due to excessive water consumption.
In most cases, faucets and pipes can withstand 30-80 psi of water pressure. You can quickly identify if pressure is the cause of pipe leaks. If you turn off a faucet, a more frequent leakage means the pressure is the cause. For safety purposes, you should have your water pressure tested by a licensed plumber.
A pressure-reducing valve is the best solution to excessively high-water pressure. This valve is located on the main water supply line, just after the main shutoff valve. This allows you to easily adjust the water pressure in all water pipes.
Rapid temperature change
If you dwell in an area that often experiences scorching hot and freezing days, you should worry about your plumbing system. Pipes contract and expand with extreme temperature changes. This rapid temperature change can lead to cracks, leaks, and even bursts.
Metal pipes are more susceptible to bursting because they are rigid. However, any line can explode if it is exposed to sufficient pressure. Frozen plastic pipes become brittle, which makes them more susceptible to cracks. Before the first cold snap, you can prevent your pipes from freezing or bursting by shutting off water lines to outside faucets.
Insulating pipes in unfinished or colder areas of your house can also be done. Repairing pipes that have cracked or burst due to cold weather is necessary. You should not attempt to repair the water supply pipe with a patch or other temporary fix. This could lead to future leaks.
Loose or broken water seals
In most cases, plumbing systems do not include seal pipes. Your plumber will use a watertight seal around the lines that connect to fixtures such as your dishwasher or kitchen sink. Over time, these seals become loose or wear out and cause leaks at the source.
A good indicator of broken or loose seals is the presence of a water puddle around your appliance. You can fix this by tightening the packing nut behind the handle. If it fails, you can replace the seal.
Damaged pipe joints
The joints of a pipe are the most vulnerable. The joints are curved pieces that attach to straight lines on either end and serve as water redirectors throughout your home.
Pipe joints can damage over time due to extreme temperatures or high-water pressure. You may have joint problems if pipes make a clicking or banging noise when running your tankless water heater.
Underground movements
Over time, your house shifts. This can be a result of small earthquakes. Consequently, your plumbing system will also be affected. The pipes can also be moved by floods or root tree growth. The weakest point in your pipeline is the connection between pipes.
This point is most vulnerable to foundational shifts. As a result, these movements could cause slow draining and problems with your water supply. Also, a home move can damage the pipe connections, leading to ruptures and separations that could lead to leaks.
Loose water connectors
A loose water connector often causes household water leaks. It is also expected at the water shutoff valves. This can be caused by a damaged or flexible pipe, which can lead to leakage in the line. Most commonly, the cause of pipe leaks is the hose or pipe is too long.
Hoses that are too long or have a kink in them can strain the connection excessively and prevent it from being tight enough. Loose water connectors can be fixed by tightening them with pliers or a wrench. If that doesn't work, you may need to replace the parts altogether.
Tree roots intruding
Root problems cause most water leaks that occur outside of the home. Tree roots can cause water lines to become obstructed, which can lead to moisture seeping into your yard. You can quickly know the common cause of water leaks if you see wet patches in your yard, sudden drops in water pressure, sinkholes, or trees growing close to your house.
Leak Detection Plumbing Tips
It is impossible to accurately pinpoint the source of moisture escaping from a leaky pipe unless it bursts open or there is a pronounced water flow from one part. You can identify the exact location of the leak by drying the pipes with a towel. Then, use tissue paper to blot the area.
If there is a drain assembly or drainpipe leak, close the sink stopper first and then fill the sink. Allow the water to stand for five minutes. This will allow you to check if any water is leaking from the drain assembly. If the tissue is still dry, then the drain line isn't leaking.
Turn off the faucet and unclog the sink to let water flow down the drain. Then, use your tissue to identify where the leak is. Plumbing leak detection methods such as camera inspection will be helpful if the common causes of plumbing leaks are deep into the sewer line.
Call A Professional Plumber To Fix Pipe Leaks
There are many common causes of plumbing leaks. If the pipes are old, they are usually made of old materials and are weak. The materials will deteriorate over time from the constant pressure in the pipes and crack, causing water to leak out. Remember to get your plumbing, and clogged drains cleaned periodically to maintain your pipes, don't wait for the problem to be worse and more complicated.
However, no matter what causes your pipes to leak, you should consider hiring a licensed plumber. Plumbing problems don't go away by themselves. They only get worse with time; hence it's better to address them sooner rather than later. You can ask for a plumbing maintenance checklist from your plumber.
Need an Experienced Plumber?
Tropical Coast Plumbing's team of experienced plumbers are here to offer you the best in residential and commercial plumbing solutions. Whether it be gas plumbing, emergency plumbing, blocked toilets, hot water installation or general plumbing, our plumbers know how to get the job done right.
