Tips to Prevent Leaks in Your Household Plumbing

A leak in your plumbing may seem minor at first. Unfortunately, a few errant drops of water could eventually turn into a claim on your homeowner’s insurance. Below are three major household items that can leak, and tips on avoiding potential water damage to your home.

In the bathroom, the usual culprit is the toilet. It’s generally known that you should not flush excess toilet paper or any non-biodegradable item down the toilet, as either could clog and cause undue pressure on the pipes. You should also be careful about the type of cleaner you use in your toilet; products containing chlorine may corrode internal plastic or rubber parts, leading to a leak.

Regardless of its location in your home, your washing machine is an item that needs proper care if you want to avoid major flooding. It is advisable to check the hoses regularly for bulging, cracking, fraying, and leaks around the ends. You should also make sure to leave at least 4 inches between the water connection and the back of the washing machine to prevent kinks in the hose.

In the kitchen, your primary concern is the sink drain, even if you have a garbage disposal. It all starts when you pour grease down your kitchen drain. We’ve mentioned this before, but it’s so important. Grease and other fats can become emulsified by the warm water from the dishwasher, building up a layer of goop on the pipe walls. Coffee grounds or other smaller bits of food that make their way down the drain will get stuck in the fat, and soon you have an impassable drain, ready to burst. To prevent this, dispose of your kitchen grease in the trash can rather than the sink. Also, make sure to let the cold water run while you are using your garbage disposal, as this will help keep your pipe walls clean.

If you think you’ve got a small leak, don’t wait until it gets bigger. Contact Barker and Sons Orange County plumbers right away so that you don’t have an expensive case of water damage later.