Every homeowner can agree that the thought of a plumbing leak in their home is one of their greatest fears. But because most of the water lines and pipes are concealed inside the walls, floors, and ceilings, it can be difficult to know when there is a problem. However, with a few tips from a leak detection expert, you can have the upper hand when it comes to preventing costly and very upsetting issues around your home.

What To Avoid

You might think that your home’s water lines and drain lines can handle whatever you throw at them. But there are a few things that will severely damage these pipes and lead to some costly hidden leaks. Knowing what not to do is as important as knowing what to do.

• Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners- Not all leak detection services are focused on locating a leak in a water supply line. There can be equally as many costly problems associated with a leak in your home’s drain lines. And in many cases, these messy situations result from a homeowner taking matters into their own hands. When a drain is clogged or slow to clear, the correct solution is a professional drain cleaning. What you should always avoid is the use of chemical drain cleaners. These caustic liquids are more likely to eat away your drain line than remove a clog.
• Avoid Hard Water Corrosion- Hard water is laden with minerals that will build up inside your water lines, fixtures, and nozzles. The chalk-like residue will block water flow and create pressure imbalances as well. But the most costly issue occurs when that mineral build-up begins to corrode and eat away at your water lines and fittings. Tiny pinholes can appear throughout your home’s water lines and create a multitude of hidden water leaks.
• Excessive Pressure- Who would not revel in a shower with fantastic water pressure? The feel of that soothing blanket of water is amazing. However, if the water pressure in your home is excessive, it will do a significant amount of damage to your home’s plumbing system. As the water hammers through the pipes, it can create stress fractures that will soon become leaks. High pressure will also cause the walls of the pipes to wear out much faster than they typically would. If the water pressure in your home is near 60 psi, a pressure regulator can throttle it back to around 50 psi to prevent any future leaks.

What To Look For

Being observant is essential in eliminating costly leaks and water damage in your home. If you notice a pressure drop or hear the sound of dripping water in a wall, don’t ignore these hints from your home. Call in a leak detection specialist immediately. Also, be on the lookout for signs of a leak, including moisture on the floor or walls, bulges in drywall or flooring, or a damp or musty odor. All are early signs of a water leak.

Be Proactive

Investing a few minutes each month to inspect your home’s plumbing is always wise. Grab a cup of coffee or a soda and walk around looking under sinks, behind appliances that use water, and around tubs and showers. Look for signs of water, corrosion, or issues with your home’s water system. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, call (866) 619-7063. The leak detection experts at Leak1 Leak Detection will arrive quickly to determine if there is a hidden leak in your home and how best to repair it. Fast action is your best defense against the high cost of water damage repairs.