Pipe Leaks: Know Why They Occur and the Best Way to Prevent Them

Posted on: 22 November 2019

Pipe leaks are among the exasperating plumbing issues no one wants to experience in their home. However, you need to understand why pipe leaks occur and what to do to prevent them. The pipe leaks you don't prevent in good time damage your property in a big way. Get a professional plumber to inspect your plumbing system if you want to prevent pipe leaks and keep your pipes and other plumbing components in good shape. See why pipe leaks occur and what you should do to prevent them:

Your Pipes Are Corroded

Installing new plumbing pipes is a great thing, but you must be aware that they won't last forever. Plumbing pipes wear and tear due to old age and eventually become corroded. Corrosion creates some small crevices and cracks that become serious water-leaking points. Unusual pH levels and a lot of chemicals in the flowing water also cause corrosion. Most of your plumbing pipes are corroded if your home is more than 30 years old; that's why you experience pipe leaks often. A plumber helps you to choose plumbing pipes that are resistant to corrosion to avoid pipe leaks that occur when the pipes are corroded.

Your Pipes Are Clogged

According to most competent plumbers, pipe leaks occur when the pipes are clogged or blocked. Although it's vital to know what has clogged the pipes, think more about how fast the pipes should be treated or cleaned. Pipe clogs are dangerous because they compromise the integrity of your property when untreated, causing severe plumbing damage. Unblocking the pipes yourself won't address the real issue, and the chemicals you use won't clear the clog or blockage. Some of the chemicals homeowners use to clear the blocked pipes accumulate in the pipes and eat them away, causing irreparable damage. However, a plumber uses the right tools, such as the plumbing snake or hydro-jetting device, to clean your clogged pipes.

Your Pipe Joint Is Damaged

Most households experience pipe leaks when the pipe joint is damaged. Pipe joints are formed when you connect the curved pipe corners to straight pipes. The "bend" formed helps to direct the water where it should go. However, the pipe joints get damaged when the temperatures get to the extreme or when the water pressure is too high. The strange noises you sometimes hear when you turn on your heater indicate a damaged pipe joint. A plumber follows the banging and clanking noises to know which joint is damaged.

Other causes of pipe leaks in your home include high water pressure, shifted connections, fixture cracks, degraded seals, clogged pipes, and incorrectly laid pipes. Allowing an experienced plumber to inspect your pipes regularly prevents pipe leaks in a big way. Next time you have pipe leaks at home, contact a plumber to fix them, but don't it yourself.

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