Leaks can cause extensive damages to your home and the repairs may be costly. The impacts of water leaks are numerous. Some of them include:
Increase in your water bills
If you have leaks in your home, your water bills will increase. Even when the leaks appear small, they can waste a copious amount of water. According to epa.gov, if one faucet is leaking at the rate of one drop per second, it translates to about 3000 gallons of water in a year. You can as well shower that volume of water about 180 times. Imagine how much you are spending on 3000 gallons of water every year without using it.
Water damage and mold growth
Leaks cause water damage, and molds thrive in high humidity. The presence of water leaks in your home will create a suitable environment for mildew. Molds that grow during water damage are harmful to the health of occupants. Water damage causes several negative impacts on your home. It can damage your ceiling, drywall, wood, furniture, carpet, and appliances. Water damage can also destroy the foundation of your property and reduce the home’s value.
Safety concerns
Leaks in a property can render it unfit for habitation. Remember, water and electricity do not mix. If the leak is close to electricity sources, it can make the house prone to electrocution. We advise that you always switch off the electric supply to the area where the leak is active. Another safety concern is that the water spills on the floor will make it slippery and cause falls.
There are several other impacts of water leaks. To protect your home from all these occurrences, it is essential to know the top reasons for water leaks. When you know the causes, you can prevent them from occurring. Below are the common causes of water leaks in the home.
High water pressure
The normal pressure of water inside the pipes in your home should be between 40 to 70 psi. Appliances, pipes, and pipe joints cannot withstand water pressures higher than 70 psi. If the water pressure in your home is too high, the pipes will rupture, resulting in leaks or burst pipes. To prevent this, you can monitor the water pressure in your home by using a pressure gauge.
Damaged pipe joints
Pipe joints are the weakest spots in water pipes. Because of that, leaks often occur here. If there is excessive water movement or pressure at the pipe joints, they easily break down and cause leaks. Your plumber can help you assess the pipe joint and reinforce them to prevent leaks.
Broken seals
Seals occur in several parts of your plumbing system. Following high water pressure, age, or poor installation, the seals break down. When this happens, water starts to leak from those spots. Your plumber can remove all old seals and install new ones properly.
Air conditioners
Functioning air conditioners produce water, but this water flows through a duct and discharges outside the house. Sometimes, this may not be the case. Instead of the water flowing outside, it drips inside and pours on the walls. That may be due to overflowing condensate pans or poor installation. Here, your HVAC specialist should assess the air conditioner and fix the problem.
Clogged lines
The primary reason you have clogs in your drain pipes may be because you pour harmful things into your drain. One of such things is grease or cooking oil. Grease solidifies inside the drain pipes and causes clogging. Clogs often manifest as leaks. If you have been pouring grease, cooking oils, or other harmful things into your drain, get professional drain cleaning plumbers to clear these clogs.
Corroded pipes
Pipes corrode for various reasons. It could be due to corrosive substances in the water, age, destabilizing movements, bacteria, or normal wear and tear. When pipes corrode, they start leaking. Hire a plumber to locate and assess your leaking pipes and replace corroded ones to prevent leaks.
Loosening water connectors
During the installation of water appliances, water connectors help to attach the water fixtures to the water supply. Over time, the water connectors may loosen following vibrations or shifting of the gadgets. If you notice that there are leaks at these spots, get an expert to fix it.
Other appliances
Leaks can occur because of your water appliances. Common appliances that can cause water leaks include washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, and water heaters. Conduct routine servicing and maintenance of your water appliances to prevent leaks.
In a nutshell
Outdoor leaks are not as common as indoor leaks. You can also inspect your outdoor areas for leaks. The sources of outdoor leaks are the roof, gutters, ruptured underground pipes, tree root intrusion, downspouts, and sewer pumps. As a routine, always hire professional plumbers to conduct a comprehensive assessment of your plumbing system.