7 Important Things You Must Know About Leaks

Some homeowners will experience burst pipes, some will experience water heater troubles, some will have trouble with their drains, but one plumbing issue that most homeowners will experience at least once is a leak. From small faucet leaks to major slab leaks, leaks are one of the most common plumbing problems that people have to deal with, and that said, we think it’s important for you to know a thing or two about them – starting with this:

  1. You should routinely check for warning signs. When warning signs are visible, it’s pretty easy to tell that you have a leak – for example, your pipes may be rusty or the most obvious, water might be dripping. To prevent major damage to your home and valuable items, make sure you’re at least glancing at your pipes every so often to see if anything looks unusual.
  2. A crowded cabinet could cause a leak. Many people use the cabinet under their sink to store cleaning supplies and other household items, but when this space is too stuffed and things are hitting into your pipes, a leak is more likely to form.
  3. Sometimes replacing is better than repairing. Take your faucet, for instance. If it gets to the point where it’s too corroded, it may be difficult for you to find the right parts if repairs are necessary. When this happens, installing a new faucet entirely (even if you really love your old one) may be the better option.
  4. Leaks often hide. Unfortunately, not all leaks will rise to the surface, and in fact, many will stay hidden for quite a long time. For example, they may hide out in sewer lines and rainstorm pipes. Knowing this, it becomes essential for you to work with a plumber regularly to detect any leaks you may be missing.
  5. Finding hidden leaks isn’t so hard. In addition to working with a professional like we just mentioned, you can also find hidden leaks using your water meter. It’s simple: find a period of time where no one will be using any water and take a reading from your meter. Then, after time has passed (remember, don’t use any water) take another reading. If it has changed, you likely have a leak!
  6. Yes, leaks will get bigger. Many people believe that small leaks will stay small even if ignored for a while, but the truth is that over time, they will get worse. That’s because the water from the leak will erode your pipes, which ultimately makes a small leak grow in size.
  7. You need to know where your main shutoff valve is. If you ever come across a leak in your home, you’ll need to know where the main shutoff valve is since the first step to solving the problem is shutting it off. While you can turn off the water at your water meter in a severe emergency, knowing where your main shutoff valve is can be much simpler.

Regardless of when your home was built or what kind of materials it was built with, if a leak wants to form, it will form. And since leaks should be taken care of right away, it would be in your best interest to have a plumber’s number handy at all times.

For those of you in Orange County, California, we at Barker and Sons Plumbing & Rooter are always ready to help with leaks – just give us a call at 714.630.8766 whenever you need us.