Plumbing is one of the most overlooked yet most essential parts of your house. You use it every day, but often without thinking about where the water comes from and where the waste goes. Most of the time, the system works correctly, and ignoring it is perfectly fine. However, dismissing a plumbing problem might not be the wisest thing to do when there’s a leak somewhere.
Plumbing leaks are the most common issue many homeowners face. Though certain types of plumbing leaks are more common than others, professional plumbers can fix them quickly if caught early.
Below we will discuss the five common types of plumbing leaks we find in people’s homes.
Water Supply Leaks
Water supply leaks are the biggest cause of decreasing your house’s value and damaging your interior and, therefore, should be fixed immediately. These leaks happen due to burst pipes, solder joint failure, or splitting of the tube. Supply leaks due to burst pipes are common in winter. As the temperature drops, the water in the pipes freeze, causing them to expand and hence burst.
Water supply leaks are easy to notice, as they make a loud gurgling noise as the water passes through the broken pipes. Moreover, if these leaks are not fixed on time, they can damage your house, especially if they are located on a higher floor of your home or building.
Toilet Leaks
Toilet leaks are one of the most common sources of leaks in most homes and buildings. Since this kind of leak mostly doesn’t make any noise, it often goes unnoticed. However, if not caught early, the leak can become extremely dangerous for your house and destroy any woodwork, flooring, or ceiling present below it.
Large toilet leaks sometimes make a hissing or gurgling sound when not in use. If you hear a hissing sound of running water, then your toilet’s flapper may be leaking. Your toilet may also leak due to a damaged fill tube or toilet float. If you see water spreading around your toilet or notice even a tiny amount of drippage, you must act fast and hire a plumber to fix the leak as soon as possible.
Faucet Leaks
Though unlikely to cause any damage, leaky faucets are the biggest water waste source in many houses. Moreover, if the problem is not given attention immediately, the leak can become costly to repair.
Faucet leaks are generally simple to repair. A professional plumber can quickly fix the faucet leak by changing or adjusting the washer underneath the handle.
Water Heater Leaks
You must regularly inspect your traditional water heaters that utilize a water tank to provide warm water to your taps. Filled with water 24/7 and dealing with varying temperatures, these heaters offer a perfect recipe for a decaying seal.
The most common cause of water heater leaks is a faulty pressure release valve. These valves are designed to leak water when they sense excess pressure in the pipes. If the valve isn’t defective, then the excess leak might be occurring due to unusual water pressure settings in your house or temperatures being set too high.
Drain Leaks
The drains leading out of a bathtub and shower are a weak spot and might leak over time without you noticing it. The first section of pipe just below the drain is a common source of leakage. If this kind of leak isn’t detected on time, it can worsen and damage your property.
Detecting drain leaks becomes easy once the discoloration around the drain or water damage on the ceiling below the tub starts to appear. To catch the leakage before the damage aggravates, take a look at your flooring around your drains and look for signs such as titles or flooring sheets coming up. If you see any signs of leakage, call your local plumber fast.
About Dunn Rite Plumbing
Dunn Rite Plumbing is the highest-rated and most trusted plumbing expert in Edmonton, Alberta. At Dunnrite, our team of qualified professional plumbers can inspect and provide solutions to any kind of plumbing leaks in your house. Visit our website or contact us today for further details and assistance.