Leaking pipes and taps can be frustrating, and a plumber can help address these issues before they worsen. Although leaks are relatively minor problems in residential plumbing, they can lead to significant consequences if not promptly handled. Small leaks can quickly escalate, resulting in flooding and costly water damage. You’ll also end up wasting both water and money—neither of which is ideal.
We’ve compiled a list of plumbing tricks you can use to stop leaks before they even begin. These include:
- Perform Regular Maintenance
One of the keys to ensuring your plumbing system remains in good condition is regular inspection and maintenance. Having a professional plumber review your taps and pipes is a good idea, as they can identify potential problem areas in a flash. Similarly, it would be best to have regular roof cleaning to stop your rain gutters from being ruined.
Alternatively, you can inspect things yourself from time to time, watching out for things like:
- Corrosion, especially in old metal pipes.
- Mineral build-up around taps and faucets, which could suggest a prolonged leak, has already begun.
- Moist areas where water is seeping out without really leaking as such.
It’s usually relatively easy to identify potential problems, and when you do find them, you can contact your plumber and get them fixed before they cause significant issues.
- Make Sure Your Water Pressure Is Right
As you can imagine, low water pressure can be a downright pain in the neck. It can prevent you from having comfortable showers, washing your clothes, and even watering the garden.
However, high water pressure can cause just as many problems. Most plumbing systems are only rated to a certain pressure, so speak with your plumber and ask them to check that it’s not too high. If it is, lowering it shouldn’t be too tricky, and it will cost you a lot less than having to deal with regular leaks and burst pipes.
- Be Very Wary of Corroded Pipes
It’s also a good idea to watch out for corroded pipes. Metal pipes will corrode over time, but once they reach a certain point, regular problems will start occurring. If you have old copper or steel pipes, investing in replacements made out of PVC or some other corrosion-resistant material could be a good idea.
- Don’t Use Commercial Drain Cleaners Too Often.
Although commercial drain cleaners work great when removing blockages and keeping the water flowing smoothly, they have their downside. Ultimately, every time you use a chemical cleaner, it will damage your pipes, making them more susceptible to leaks and other long-term damage.
Leaking and burst pipes can cause all sorts of problems, but it’s not that difficult to take a proactive approach to prevent them. You can conduct regular inspections and take specific actions – such as avoiding chemical drain cleaners – independently. Still, it’s also a good idea to get a professional opinion from time to time.