A water leak can be troublesome and costly to repair. However, it’s important that you’re aware of the possible causes so that you know what needs to be fixed. Knowing the common causes of water leaks in homes and buildings will help you prevent them from happening again, or better yet, figure out where your leaking water is coming from and fix it!
Pipes in walls, floors, or ceilings
Water leaks in your home’s walls, floors, and ceilings can do significant damage and are frequently undetectable. The crawlspace or basement is typically where the pipes carrying water to your property are placed. These pipes may start to leak at their joints as they get older. It’s really challenging to patch a leak if you don’t know where it’s coming from.
Cracks in the pipe system are frequently the cause of water leaks because they let water pressure from below ground level into any place where there is an entrance for them (usually a floor drain). The only tools required to fix this type of issue when it occurs are simple hand tools, but there are several things you should think about before starting any endeavor like this to avoid issues down the road!
Plumbing around appliances
Water leaks typically occur around appliances and home plumbing. Regular plumbing inspections around your appliances are a good idea, especially in the winter and summer. Contact a skilled plumber like water damage contractors in Paola as soon as you notice any plumbing problems to have them treated before they worsen and necessitate more costly repairs or replacement parts.
Water supply lines
A water supply line is the pipe that connects the water meter to your home. The pipe is usually buried in the ground, but it can also be above ground. Water supply lines are made of PVC or copper and connected to a water meter.
Water leaks in pipes can be caused by:
- Loose fittings
- Damaged joints
- Leaky joints (the connection between two parts of a pipeline)
Debris buildup around pipes or drains
Water leaks frequently result from debris accumulation around pipes or drains. This may be brought on by outside debris entering your property or by debris falling into a pipe or drain from within the building.
If you notice debris accumulating here, you might need to take some precautions to avoid it from happening again. Making sure there isn’t any junk in your plumbing system at all would be the first step. If any do accumulate, get in touch with a pro right away so they can clear it up and stop any potential issues in the future.
Building foundation
Foundation leaks can be caused by cracks in the foundation wall, a cracked or broken pipe, or a broken or loose joint in the pipe.
The most common type of leak is when water seeps through an improperly fitting washer that sits between two pieces of metal. This can happen if you have been putting off replacing your washer because it’s so small and easy to miss on inspection (or if you’re just not sure where to look).
Defective plumbing fixtures
The most frequent source of damage to homes and other structures is plumbing fittings. You might not know it, but changing out a broken plumbing fixture can save you thousands of dollars in repairs and guard against long-term property damage.
The moment you suspect that one or more of your faucets are leaking, call a qualified plumber. They will be able to determine whether the leak is coming from a pipe or fixture and what kind of repair is required so that it doesn’t cause problems for years to come.
Blocked drains
A blocked drain is what?
When water cannot flow down a drain, it is plugged. These factors may contribute to the obstruction:
a buildup of debris in the pipe that prevents it from carrying water and lowers its capacity. Grease buildup or other substances that would normally move through freely but become tangled up by limescale may be the cause of this (calcium carbonate). In order to avoid having problems with your pipes later on, it’s crucial to get any of these symptoms looked at as soon as possible.
How can I determine whether my drain is clogged? If your pipes are clear of blockages, you can check them with a flashlight or lamp; if not, you can use some string and pliers to clear them out manually. Just be careful not to pull too hard while using this technique since depending on how fragile the pipe was to begin with, using more force than is necessary occasionally results in parts breaking off inside the pipe.
Damaged septic tanks and sewer lines
Septic tank or sewer line damage is the most frequent reason for water damage in homes. It’s critical to keep in mind that these systems are not intended to handle flooding, but rather garbage. A broken pipe may leave a gaping hole in the ground where water may seep into your house. As a result, there may be issues with mildew and mold growth inside your walls or ceiling, as well as harm from mold spores dispersing through air vents during periods of intense rainfall or flooding.
Contact a professional if you think there might be an issue with your septic system (or other plumbing) so they can assess whether or not you need repairs before they turn into bigger difficulties later on.
Common improperly installed or defective appliances
- Water heaters
- Sinks and faucets
- Dishwashers
- Showers and tubs
- Toilets, particularly the ones that use a pressure-relieving valve to release water when you flush them (which can cause leaks). This is especially common in older homes.
- Water softeners. These devices are designed to soften your water by removing minerals from it, but they can also clog up your pipes if they’re not installed correctly or maintained properly. For example: If you have an older model that uses limestone as its main ingredient instead of salt or baking soda (which are more common), then you may have problems with scale buildup inside pipes throughout your home!
A leaky roof.
It’s crucial that you know how to fix a leaky roof if you have one. Water damage from a leaking roof can affect your home and make it more difficult for homeowners to sell their properties.
If you notice that there is a hole in your roof, don’t wait for it to get bigger—get it fixed right away. The sooner repairs are made, the less harm leaks and other wetness-related problems will cause to the structure of your home or building (like mold).
Be Drip Free
A house without drips is a lovely place to live. Additionally, it’s the only way to guarantee the lowest potential water costs, which will lower your electric bill as a result.
However, there are a few things you can do to keep your house drip-free:
- If you find any leaks, patch them right away (even if it’s just a minor one). If a leak isn’t fixed right away, it might result in more damage than it would have cost to keep track of all those drips!
- Use buckets or other containers with lids at all times to keep water off the floor and away from walls, especially while switching between rooms during washing cycles (see below). When washing dishes upstairs without first closing windows, this will help prevent floors from getting wet when cleaning up after pets or kids who enjoy playing in pools of water.
Water leaks in your home can be a serious problem. They can even lead to severe damage, sometimes causing structural issues and serious damage to the building. If you notice water leaking from somewhere in your home or business, contact an expert immediately for help. A professional that will give you quality work like water damage service in Paola, will inspect the problem, advise how to repair it and make sure that there aren’t any other problems lurking underneath.