For homeowners everywhere, the quality and function of basic plumbing pipes is vital throughout the home. Plumbing pipes allow for water and waste to be transported to the proper areas in the house at all times, and they need to be able to do so without risks of leaking or other issues that detract from their overall quality.
At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical, we’re here to help. We provide a huge range of plumbing service options, including assisting clients with locating and addressing any leaks that have formed in their pipes or any part of their plumbing system. This two-part blog series will dig into many of the common causes of water leaks within the plumbing system, plus how to prevent or address them if they’ve become issues in your home – either with or without the assistance of our plumbers.
Winter Freezing
The time of year we’re in right now is a prime period for one potential culprit in leaking pipes: Freezing temperatures. Pipes that have frozen, or have frozen water within them, will often expand or contract based on this presence, causing them to crack or even burst in some cases. In the worst scenarios, this can lead to major flooding and property damage.
To help prevent this, insulate your pipes ahead of the winter to ensure they are not at risk of freezing. If non-insulated pipes are freezing regularly, particularly in accessible areas like under sinks, thaw them with a blow dryer and then call our team about insulation.
Improper Construction or Installation
In other cases, leak issues can be traced all the way back to the installation or construction of the pipes or components in question. Improper installation often results from not compacting the soil on a property before home construction, which leads to soil settling that moves pipes around and often cracks them.
In addition, less experienced plumbers may leave loose connections or other issues in their component installations. To avoid this, ensure you only work with reputable plumbers like ours.
Fixture or Appliance Concerns
Sometimes, leaks in the plumbing system are not actually coming from pipes. Rather, they may be from a fixture or appliance, such as a leaking toilet base, a cracked washing machine hose or a damaged faucet in one of your sinks. Do your best to keep an eye on these areas and any other water-related connections that may have come loose or worn down over time.
Yard Root Intrusion
Pipes running in and out of your home are buried under the ground, and if you have trees close to these areas, their roots may grow over time and attempt to invade the pipes for water. Do not plant new trees directly over sewer lines, for one, and call our plumbers for an inspection if you fear existing tree roots have grown into your pipes.
For more on the potential causes of leaking issues in your plumbing, or to learn about any of our plumbing, heating or air services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical today.