Leaking pipes are a common source of water damage in homes. Over time, these leaks can cause excess water damage and even flood your home. If a pipe leaks in an area where you don’t spend a lot of time, such as the basement or utility room, you may be living with prolonged water damage – which only worsens over time. To help prevent pipes from leaking, here are a few things you can do:
Excess water pressure puts a lot of stress on pipes. Pipes are not designed to have any give, so they do not respond well to increases in water pressure. If the water pressure in your plumbing system exceeds 60 psi for extended amounts of time, pipes can spring a leak, or burst. If you are unsure what the water pressure going into your home is, you can install a water pressure gauge that will give you a reading of the water pressure. Residential water pressure should never exceed 80 psi. If you have high water pressure in your home, you should have a water pressure-reducing valve installed.
Hard water has high mineral content, and mineral buildup inside of pipes will cause corrosion. Installing a water softener can help prevent damage to your pipes by removing excess minerals from the water. This will prevent the buildup of minerals, and help extend the life and structural integrity of pipes. Water softeners create an ion exchange between positively charged calcium and magnesium in the water and negatively charged resin beads located in the softener. A salt tank is used to make a brine that removes the collected minerals from the resin beads and flushes them out. Without so much buildup inside, water will be able to flow freely and easily through pipes, reducing the pressure on them and slowing down the corrosion process.
Pipe connections are prone to leaks if they are not connected tightly and sealed properly. To adequately seal connections and joints, there should be tight fittings, and the use of both tape and pipe joint compound should be utilized. Joints on chrome trap assemblies rely on rubber slip joint washers to provide a seal but often leak. You should consider having new slip joint washers put in every few years to prevent leaks from aging. Check fittings regularly and make sure they are tight, and properly seal joints and reinforce those sealing periodically to prevent pipes from leaking.
If you live in Minneapolis and are in need of water damage restoration due to damaged, leaky or broken pipes, 24 Restore is here to help. We specialize in water damage restoration, regardless of the source of the water. We understand how important a timely response to water damage is and that is why we offer 24/7 emergency services. We will work quickly to address the source of the water, locate any leaky pipes, and develop a plan to repair any damages.