Plumbing Maintenance: Preventing Recurrent Leaks in Your Residential Pipes

Plumbing leaks can cause a lot of problems in your home. The trickling water can penetrate the building structures such as the walls and floors, causing rotting and general damage. Also, the settled moisture could promote the growth of fungi, including mildew and mould. Therefore, you should be diligent in maintaining your piping system to prevent recurrent leaks. If you have been experiencing numerous incidents of leakage, consider using the outlined tips to avoid these problems.

Reduce the Water Pressure

If you have encountered repetitious plumbing leaks, you should engage a plumber to check the water pressure. Often, the cause of the problem is high water pressure. In general, high water pressure exerts a strong mechanical force on the piping walls, causing accelerated wear. The joints in the network also experience strain, increasing the risk of the connection loosening. If high pressure is the causative issue in your home, consider installing a pressure regulator.

Soften Your Water

The hardness of water can contribute to the development of leaks in your residential plumbing system. Hard water can be defined as water with a high percentage of minerals, usually calcium and magnesium carbonates. If your water has these compounds, your pipes will experience stress as the minerals create deposits on the inner walls. The accumulated matter will cause pipe narrowing and pressure increase, resulting in higher risk of leaks. If hard water is a problem in your region or home, you should install a water softener.

Protect the Pipes from Freezing

When water freezes in the pipes, it expands significantly. The frozen water then pushes against the walls of the tubing. As a result, the piping structure will develop cracks or even burst. Fortunately, you can prevent these problems by taking pre-emptive actions when the cold season approaches. Ideally, you should insulate the pipes to protect them from the low temperature. Also, keeping water moving in the pipes by leaving some faucets open will prevent freezing. However, you should remember that this technique is not environmentally friendly.

Replace Your Old Pipes

If you are residing in an old building, you should consider replacing the pipes in your plumbing system. Typically, residential piping products are long-lasting and resilient. However, they become degraded over time, especially at the end of their lifespan, and this deterioration results in recurrent leakage. Removing the old damaged network and replacing the structure with new pipes will resolve the issue.

If you encounter a plumbing leak emergency or need an inspection, you should consult a licensed local plumber.