Leaky pipes are a very common cause of water damage in homes in Springdale. Considering most of the plumbing in our homes is hidden behind walls, it can be hard to catch leaks before they become a big problem. From our water damage cleanup experts, here are a few things you can do to help prevent your pipes from leaking without having to tear into your drywall.
High water pressure puts unnecessary stress on pipes. Pipes are not built to have any give, so if the pressure increases too much, they will burst and spring leaks to reduce the pressure. The water pressure going into your home should be checked and monitored regularly to ensure that it is not above 60 psi. To get a water pressure reading for your home, you can simply install a water pressure gauge (available at most home improvement or local hardware stores) to any outside faucet. Residential water pressure should never exceed 80 psi, but if your water pressure exceeds 60 psi for extended amounts of time then your pipes are at an increased risk of bursting. If the water pressure going into your home is too high, you should install a water pressure valve to reduce it and keep it under control.
In areas that you can see your pipes (under cabinets, in crawl spaces or basements, and in utility rooms,) you should perform regular inspections and check all the pipe connections. Pipe connections, especially under the kitchen sink around garbage disposals, are prone to leaks if they are not connected properly, loose, or not sealed tightly. To adequately secure connections and joints, the fittings should be tight and held with plumber’s tape and pipe joint compound. Joints on chrome trap assemblies rely on a rubber slip joint washer to provide a tight seal, but these are very prone to leaks. In order to help prevent leaks from there, consider putting in new slip washers every few years. You should reinforce seals every few years to avoid leaks and keep an eye on the pipes that you can see so that any leaks can be spotted and addressed as soon as possible. This can potentially save you from a costly water damage problem.
Hard water is called ‘hard’ because it has a high mineral content. These minerals will build up inside of your pipes over time, which accelerates the rate of corrosion and can also lead to clogs and decreased flow of water through pipes. This is where a water softener comes in. Water softeners remove excess minerals from the water, which can prevent damage to your pipes caused by excess mineral build up. Water softeners create an ion exchange between positively charged calcium and magnesium in the water and negatively charged resin beads located in the softener. A salt tank is used to make brine that removes the collected minerals from the resin beads and flushes them out. Without the excess minerals, water will be able to flow freely and easily through pipes.
If you notice that you have leaky pipes causing water damage in your home, or water damage from any other cause, the team at Courtesy Care is just a phone call away. Let us help find and solve the problem, and get your home clean and restored as quickly as possible.
Please contact us by filling out the form below or give us a call at (877) 382-3900.
