Preventing Water Damage from Plumbing Leaks
Water damage is one of the banes of homeownership. A plumbing leak can cause enormous damage before it can be brought under control. While no one knows if there is going to be an accident, there are still many tools to minimize the risk of a plumbing leak in the home. By keeping your plumbing in good order, a homeowner lessens the risk of a plumbing leak and the damage if one occurs.
Keep an eye on the following:
Appliance supply lines
Every water-using appliance has pipes, and 99 percent of the time, those lines are plastic tubing. Therefore, it’s essential to check these lines frequently. Watch for rust, discoloration of the pipe or surrounding material, or calcium build-up. When you replace these lines, consider upgrading to flexible stainless steel.
Plumbing pipes and fittings
Your pipes are built to last the life of your home when properly maintained. But outside forces can cause pipes to leak. Earthquakes, rodents, air in the lines, and even over-zealous repairs of inexpert plumbing and appliances can cause leaks. So, if you have any of these problems, keep a careful eye out for moisture around your pipes.
Water heater
Follow the maintenance instructions on your water heater carefully. A water heater can cause severe damage, depending on where it’s located. A water heater should be checked by a professional plumber every few years. If it’s in a location where a leak would be truly devastating, consider a leak detector.
Drains
Sinks, garbage disposals, showers, tubs, and toilets should all be kept debris-free. If you have a family member who is an over-enthusiastic toilet tissue consumer, consider installing a bidet.
Unsourced water damage
If you see water damage or moisture on your ceiling (if there are overhead pipes), walls, flooring, or other surfaces, call a plumber immediately. Water can do some pretty unusual maneuvering when it’s inside a wall. When you find a leak, it isn’t necessarily caused by the nearest pipe.
Tools you can use to fight back:
Everyone who lives in your home should know where the main water shutoff valve is located. Also, if you have a situation that you deem risky, such as a water heater located in the central part of the house or frequent earthquakes, leak detectors can be handy.
If you have a smart home hub, you can buy a moisture detector like the Samsung SmartThings Water Leak Sensor, which will notify you on your phone, emit a siren and lights in the event of moisture.
Zircon 68637 Leak Alerts also have an alarm and lights and are battery operated. These can also be used as flood alerts.
The important thing is to maintain water delivery systems adequately. While having a plumber do a maintenance check on your home is an expense, it pales in comparison to a flood event.
If you need a licensed, bonded, experienced plumber for plumbing installation and service in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek, Ahwatukee or San Tan Valley call Norfleet Family Plumbing Heating and Air at 480-681-1764.
