When water flows to the wrong place at the wrong time – as it would from a cracked or leaking pipe – it can cause extensive damage to your home and personal belongings. Even a slow drip behind a bathroom or kitchen cabinet can cause sheetrock and wood floors to rot while eventually making its way to the level below Prevent Pipe Leaks.
And, since damaged water pipes come in all shapes and sizes, it’s important to understand the primary causes of cracked or burst pipes and what you do to help keep them whole.
Frozen Pipes
An un-insulated pipe can freeze, burst, and eventually gush water. That’s a common winter time occurrence in garages, crawl spaces, and other unheated spaces. To prevent your pipes from freezing, disconnect outdoor hoses and drain the faucets. Shut off and drain your irrigation system for the winter. And make sure all pipes located in unheated spaces are insulated.
Leaky Pipes
Minor pinholes in your water pipes can’t fix themselves, but they can grow and become even more problematic. It’s okay to apply tape as a short-term fix, but don’t wait too long before implementing a more permanent solution, even if all or a portion of a pipe needs to be replaced.
Unattended Drain Clogs
If a clogged drain is left to sit too long, water pressure will continuously build and could force the pipe to crack and leak.
Corroded Pipes
The older a home and it’s plumbing, the more prone its metal pipes become to internal corrosion. Constant exposure to soil, water, and temperature fluctuations can do a number on your pipes, as can build-ups of mineral deposits like calcium and magnesium. One way you can help protect the inside walls of your pipes is to substitute green alternatives for the chemical drain cleaning solutions you might still be using.
At Norhio Plumbing, we recommend an annual whole-house plumbing inspection as the best way of all to help prevent all sorts of plumbing problems; and yes, pipe leaks included. Our highly skilled plumbers are trained in the art and science of leak detection; more than that, they also can determine what’s causing the problem. If, for example, a pipe leak appears likely or imminent from hard water conditions, we can recommend and install a water softener to prevent any further corrosion.
Still, nothing lasts forever. So if and when you do experience a leaking or burst pipe, turn to Norhio Plumbing for our pipe repair and replacement services, and everything else it takes for you to enjoy the best in year-round comfort, convenience, and safety.
