Leaking pipes are among the most common and frustrating plumbing problems for Battle Ground, WA homeowners. Usually, while leaky pipes may seem like an annoying inconvenience, it signifies a more severe underlying plumbing issue. When left unaddressed, leaking pipes can significantly damage your plumbing system, compromise the structural integrity of your home and put your family’s health at risk.
Consequently, it is critical to contact a drain cleaning service as soon as possible once you notice a leaking pipe in your home. Doing so will save you from incurring costly plumbing repairs down the road if the issue snowballs and causes a plumbing disaster.
In this article, we will talk about some of the factors that cause leaking pipes and how you can deduce a leak in your plumbing:
What Causes Leaky Pipes?
Despite the integral role the plumbing plays in facilitating a home’s day-to-day operations, it is a very delicate system that is especially vulnerable to damage. Wear and tear from regular use and improper plumbing practices like dumping grease and fats down the drain can cause plumbing leaks. The following are some common reasons why pipes start to leak:
Age
How old is your plumbing? Anything that sees regular use will wear down over time, including your pipes. Although they are designed to last a long time, especially PVC drain lines, older pipes are more susceptible to wear and tear. They are usually made of copper, galvanized steel, cast iron, and brass which are more prone to corrosion. When an older pipe starts to rust and corrode, its structure weakens, and it begins to break down and leak water. A rusty, corroded pipe can result in discolored water, weird tasting and smelling water, poor water pressure, and unusual noises from the plumbing.
If your home has older pipes, consider hiring a drain cleaning service to replace them. Newer pipes are usually made using copper and plastic, making them much more resistant to corrosion and giving them a long lifespan.
Root Intrusion
Most drain cleaning services have been called at least once to deal with root intrusion. This usually happens when tree roots grow into a pipe and clog it up. The clean water and wastewater moving through your pipes is basically a magnet for tree roots looking for nutrition. Leaks from root intrusions are quite common as it is virtually impossible to anticipate how tree roots will grow, and without root barriers, tree roots will eventually grow into your plumbing. Root intrusions can cause a dip in water pressure, slow drains, strange, unpleasant smells on your property, and increased rodent and insect activity.
You may also notice lush, green spots on your lawn if roots invade a sewer line and cause wastewater to leak into the ground. Generally, your chances of experiencing root intrusion increase significantly if you have trees close to your property. A professional drain cleaner can advise you on preventing root intrusions in the future if roots haven’t invaded your pipes yet.
Damaged or Broken Seals
The plumbing system consists of a variety of interconnected features, including pipes and faucets. Rubber seals are usually placed at the locations where pipes connect to other fixtures to keep the connection watertight. These seals will wear out over time and reduce the integrity of the connection. If the rubber seals get damaged or broken, the connection will lose the watertight seal and start leaking water. You can spot a loose, damaged, or broken seal by looking for water or condensation near water fixtures.
Loose Water Connections
The connection between your appliances and the hoses and pipes that supply them with water could become loose due to movement or shifting. For instance, the shaking during the spin cycle could cause a washing machine hose to become loose. In this case, you won’t require the assistance of a drain cleaning professional. Look out for puddles of water around appliances of water running directly from the supply line and tighten the connections responsible for the leak.
Damaged Joints
Joints are the curved parts of the pipes where water changes direction. They are probably the weakest link in your piping. Over time, the joints can become damaged and start to leak water. A damaged joint can cause a banging or clacking sound in the pipes or strange noises whenever hot water is running. If you notice these signs, reach out to a drain cleaning service to inspect your plumbing system.
Clogged and Blockages
Clogged pipes are a nightmare. Not only do they prevent the plumbing system from functioning as efficiently as it can due to low water pressure, but they also put the plumbing at significant risk. If a clog isn’t cleared ASAP, the water pressure within the pipe will steadily build until it reaches a critical point and cracks or breaks the pipe. You can avoid clogs by being mindful of the waste you dump into your drains and toilet. Avoid flushing food items down the toilet, limit the amount of waste that goes into your drains, and stay away from chemical drain cleaners.
Clogs can be identified by the presence of slow drains, sewer smells, gurgling noises, changing toilet water levels, reduced water pressure, and damp and wet spots outside and inside the house.
Excessive Water Pressure
How amazing is it to stand under a shower with strong water pressure? While strong water pressure points to a healthy plumbing system, too much pressure will put the delicate system in danger. The faster and more forcefully water moves through the pipes, the higher the risk of the pipes cracking or, in severe cases, bursting. High water pressure can damage appliances, increase utility bills, and cause the toilet to run constantly. You may also hear a sudden banging noise when you switch off a kitchen or bathroom faucet.
Get in touch with a drain cleaning service if you notice any of these signs. They will be able to inspect your plumbing, diagnose the cause of the high water pressure and prescribe an appropriate fix.
Drain Cleaning Services in Battle Ground, WA
Leaking pipes are a plumbing issue that simply cannot be ignored. Without immediate repair from a professional drain cleaning service, a leaking pipe could cause severe structural damage, compromising the integrity of the floors, walls, and ceilings. Atop this, the moisture can encourage the growth of mildew and mold, which can put your family’s health in jeopardy. Don’t wait for a catastrophe to strike before you seek plumbing services. If you notice any of the signs described above, contact a Pilot Plumbing & Drain’s drain cleaning service immediately for emergency repairs.
At Pilot Plumbing & Drain, we are the leading drain cleaning service in Battle Ground, WA. We have over a decade’s worth of experience and have served thousands of satisfied customers. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and for more information about our services. We’d love to help!
