Leaking pipes are a pain to deal with, from running up the cost of a water bill to causing serious damage to our homes and possessions. While fixing these leaks is important, the first thing to do is to determine where the leak is coming from, and why. Here are a few common causes of leaky pipes.
Broken Seals
Rubber pipe seals are used to connect your pipes to appliances, such as a dishwasher or a washing machine, to keep everything watertight. These seals can wear down over time, which would result in leaking around these appliances.
Clogs
A clogged pipe can become a leaking pipe if the water overflows or causes the pipe to burst. Luckily, clogs can be detected before this happens if you notice bad smells or the fact that your water isn’t draining fast enough. Many clogs can be fixed with basic tools, boiling water, or baking soda and vinegar.
Corrosion
When corrosive materials get into your pipes, the metal will begin to rust and wear down, causing them to leak. Pipes can also corrode if they’re particularly old or are made out of unreliable or easily rusting metals.
Underground Movements
Sometimes, the cause of the leak isn’t something you can directly control or prevent. From invasive tree roots to unexpected earthquakes, your pipes can be damaged by what’s going on underground, and this damage can cause your pipes to leak or burst.
Water Pressure
Strong water pressure can damage your pipes by force, creating leaks or causing the pipes to burst. It’s best to keep your water at 60 psi, which is recommended for most faucets and pipes anyway.
Contact Us for Your Plumbing Needs
Regardless of how it happened, if your pipes are leaking, you’ll need help to fix them. Contact BPI Plumbing today to learn more about how we can help you.