Repairing and Preventing Leaks

When a qualified plumber installs piping and indoor plumbing, the pipes and fixtures are well-sealed to prevent leaks. Indoor plumbing leaks can have devastating results, ranging from damage to your walls, floors, and ceilings, to flooding. However, due to wear and tear, deterioration and corrosion, leaks occur after some time. Pipes fail and develop leaks or bursts. Using some expert tricks, you can avoid the most major issues.

Step 1: Find the Leaks

The first step in stopping leaking pipes, is to find them. To do this, you will need to take a flashlight with you when you go inspect plumbing beneath sinks and in crawlspaces, where it is usually pretty dark.

When you have your light source and your tools, turn on the water in the bathtub or in the sink and wait for the water to start trickling out. The most likely places for you to focus on would be joints, where most leaks usually occur.

Step 2: Repair the Seals

Leaks that occur at the connectors can generally be easily repaired by repairing the connection. The first step to repairing the seal is to switch off the main water supply. Now return to the crawlspace with a bucket, because when you unscrew the connectors, water will come out.

You will need to remove the plumber's tape from around the threads of piping before disconnecting and reconnecting the connection. Be sure to dry the outside of the pipes before taping it up with new tape. The threads should be covered with tape before you return the connector.

More Steps to Prevent Leaks

Leaks are often caused by leaks in the middle of a pipe, somewhere along the run. There are many temporary fixes for plumbing issues. Some manufacturers even sell the tape to fix holes on pipes. However, they are temporary and will eventually require replacement. The tape is meant as a temporary solution until you are able to replace the pipe.

Ideally, you should consider replacing faulty components on your plumbing. Entire plumbing systems only require replacement in old homes with old plumbing and metal pipes that have become rusted or otherwise deteriorated.

A new connector or a seal can go a long way towards keeping your system running smoothly for a long time. Individual runs of pipes that have sprung leaks can also be replaced, preferably as soon as possible.

The key is to ensure that your plumbing works properly in order to save money on your water bill and to keep your home free from water damage, which leaking pipes can easily cause.