Your home's plumbing system is made up of a variety of parts. Unfortunately, each of them is at risk of leaks and breakages. The consequences can range from a minor inconvenience to a real emergency with significant water damage if action is taken too late. Read more about the most common plumbing problems.
Burst pipes
Dealing with burst pipes can be intimidating for homeowners. This emergency can be caused by factors such as freezing temperatures, old or rusty pipes, clogs, tree roots, and hard water. Burst pipes can cause thousands of dollars in damage if not repaired quickly. In most cases, you will need a plumber in your area or an emergency plumbing service that can help you.
Before your plumber arrives, turn off your home's main water supply. First, locate the water shutoff valve. It may be in different places depending on your home, such as the basement or outside. Then, turn off the power to the room or area where the leak is located to avoid the risk of electric shock.
Toilet leaks
If the water is constantly running, toilet leak repair can potentially be the most expensive plumbing project unless you can fix the problem quickly. A plumber may suggest that you turn off the water valve (located at the bottom of the toilet) in an emergency before the repair can be made.
Faucet leaks
Usually faucets are easy to fix, but you shouldn't wait too long to fix them or you risk a higher water bill because the faucet is dripping longer than it should. There are four common types of faucets that leak:
- Cartridge: Is due to a worn rubber seal on the valve seat
- Compression: Not as common in new faucets, but can occur in older homes; caused by a bad O-ring or a bad neoprene gasket
- Ceramic disc: Usually caused by a crack in the disc and requires replacing the cartridge (which can be expensive depending on the type and model of your faucet).
- Ball valve: Only occurs with ball valves and can leak in several places.
Faucets last on average up to 10 years before needing repair or replacement, but the lifespan depends on factors such as the type and age of your faucet, whether you have hard water, etc.
Leaks in the outdoor area
Exterior leaks are a common type of leak, but can sometimes be difficult to detect. For example, a slab leak occurs when pipes beneath your foundation or slab crack or leak, and of course can affect your home's foundation, your basement floors and walls, and your lawn. The first obvious sign that you have an exterior leak is an unusually high water bill, even though your water usage has been the same as last month.
If you suspect something is wrong, test your outdoor faucets by turning each one on and checking the area for unnecessary water. If you see spots like this, there is likely an outdoor leak and you should act quickly to prevent further water damage to your home.
Water heater leaks
Water heater leaks should also be fixed quickly to avoid damage to your floors, furniture and walls. There are several reasons for water heater leaks, including the age of the water heater, lack of regular water heater maintenance, uneven pressure and sediment buildup.
You can always do your own preliminary inspections, but if you're unsure or uncertain, call a professional. A plumber can not only thoroughly inspect your system, but they can also quickly interpret subtle clues like a strange noise that many homeowners don't notice.
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