Finding Water Leaks: How to Deal With Complex Leaks

One of the absolute worst surprises that a homeowner can get is a leaky pipe. Although these incidents happen fairly often, many people are often oblivious as to the cause of pipes that leak. The first thought that usually comes into their minds is that they did something that inadvertently caused damage to their piping system. Others think that their pipes are somehow faulty. However, most of the time, the reason for a leak in the pipes is a case of wear-and-tear.  The key to locating and fixing these leaks lies in knowing the possible causes of busted pipes. Knowing how they can start will allow you to know where to look to find the source of the leak. Leaky and busted pipes can also be prevented. Again, the key to effective prevention lies in knowing how leaking pipes are caused to be able to stop them from happening.

The Most Common Causes of Water Leaks

When it comes to finding and fixing water leaks, it pays to know how they are caused. Here is a list of the most common causes of house water leaks and how to know which one is causing the leak in your home.

1 – Clogged Drains

There are many types of debris that can get caught in your home’s drainage system. Whether that be hair from the shower or small food particles that get accidentally flushed down the kitchen sink’s drain, they can cause the pipes to get clogged. These obstructions in the drainage system may cause the pipes to burst if the water can no longer flow through the pipes normally. If your pipes have burst, you will see a lot of water where there should not be any. 

2 – Leaky Toilet

A leaky toilet is a somewhat common problem that happens to most households, especially older ones. The most common way to tell if you have a leaky toilet is if you notice the toilet flushing on its own. This may lead to a severe increase in water consumption and can have an effect on your water bill.

3 – High Water Pressure

The average home plumbing system is only designed to withstand 60 to 80 psi of water pressure. If it goes any higher, there is a chance that your pipes will burst because of the pressure of the water. If you live in hilly areas or near a fire hydrant, these may be the cause of the unusually high water pressure in your pipes. You can try to talk to a plumber to find solutions to help regulate your water pressure. 

4 – Corroded Pipes

Older pipes may have corroded areas that may result in small leaks scattered along the pipeline. You may need to call a plumber to replace the damaged pipes. Along with this, you may need to have them check the pH levels of the water that comes into your home filtration system. pH levels that are too high or too low can have corrosive effects on pipes. 

How can you detect a water leak?

If you notice a significant change in your water bill, it may be indicative of a leak in your home’s pipes. However, in some cases, the water bill may not shoot up right away, even if there is a water leak already wreaking havoc on your pipes and the surrounding area. If you notice water in areas of your home that shouldn’t normally have water, it is best to check if a leaking pipe may be the cause.

Fixing Leaks on Your Own

It may be possible for you to fix leaking pipes on your own. If you have faucet leaks, there may be a problem with your faucet’s valve. It may be loose or may need to be replaced. As for toilet leaks, you may want to have a look inside the water closet and check for a faulty fill valve. You can try to do a DIY fix on it yourself and observe if the toilet stops leaking before you call a professional plumber. However, for more complicated leaks, it may do you well to call a plumber if you think you cannot handle the problem on your own. 

When to Hire a Professional

If you have already tried everything but the kitchen sink (pun intended) to fix your home’s water leaks, then it may be high time to call a plumber to have a look at the leak. Plumbers will be able to find the problem, fix it, and give you concrete advice as to how to prevent it from happening again. Keep in mind that you should not wait for too long before calling a plumber. The problem may worsen over time, making it more difficult (and more expensive) to have fixed if you wait for too long. This is why it is crucial for you to know when to throw the towel in and call a professional to take over the situation for you. 

Conclusion

If you notice that your water meter is still running when you know that all the faucets, showers, and other water outlets have been shut off, you can be almost certain that you have a water leak in your home. Keep in mind that pipe leaks are fairly normal and they happen to almost every home, especially if the piping system is not as new as it once was. However, if you find a leak in your pipes, you may want to hold off on calling a plumber right away. There are some leaks that you can fix on your own.  However, on the other hand, if you are at your wit’s end, trying to figure out where the leak is coming from and how to fix it, it will do you well to contact a plumber who works with a leak detection company. They will be able to find the leak and correct it before it can get any worse or cause more damage to your pipes and the rest of your home. One great plumbing company you can always rely on is Core Plumbing. We are open to serve you 24/7 and can fix any leak and make your pipes fully functional again. Contact us and let us take care of your leaky pipes today!