Common Reasons for Pipe Leaks

A leaky pipe

Wondering why your pipes are leaking? There may be a few culprits

Preventing pipe leaks is a better solution than having to seek out professional assistance from a plumbing company. So before you end up having to search for a leak detection company in the Katy area, you should read on to understand the reasons why most water pipes break and how to avoid them. Leakage from various plumbing fixtures is nothing new in plumbing. Chances are that you have already experienced multiple leaking faucets in the past. However, pipe leaks are one of the major contributors to water damage around a home. There are many reasons why a pipe may be perfectly fine but then breaks the next. Below are just a few of the reasons behind it.

Degradation or Shifting

Degradation and / or shifting is a reason why your pipes may begin to leak.  These types of pipe leaks are not that easy to detect or prevent.  When this happens then it is very likely that your Houston home has been standing for quite a long time.  The pipes are getting old and with that they will begin to deteriorate due to the prolonged usage.  As pipes age, they begin to rust and eventually will leak. To make matters worse your home’s foundation will naturally shift over time.  With this shifting, it can cause the joints in the plumbing to loosen and in worse cases completely separate entirely. A small leak may only be a drop or two every minute, but over time this water can cause serious damage to your home and its foundation.  In scenarios like this that are not preventable you will need to seek out a plumbing company such as Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Katy, TX to find the source of the leak and get it resolved right away.

Changes in Temperature

As the seasons come and go, so does the temperature change.  These changes in temperature will also happen within the pipes and if it is especially cold outside then the pipes may crack or even burst leading to pipe leaks.  Some pipes, especially pipes that are not well-insulated will freeze during the winter and contract, when water runs through them.  The expansion of the pipes due to the water running through them will cause crevices to form which over time will lead to leaks in the pipes.  These leaks may go unnoticed for quite a time and if they are underground they may especially hard to detect. You will need to find a reputable plumbing company such as Ben Franklin Plumbing in Katy, TX to find the source of the leak for you.

Unregulated Water Pressure

If your plumbing was not properly done and the water pressure that flows through the pipes is not regulated, then the extreme forces of the water pressure can cause the pipes to crack or even burst.  This obviously will lead to pipe leaks and you will need to hire a leak detection company, such as, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Katy, TX to find and fix all of the leaks as well as install a pressure regulator to prevent this from happening again in the future.

Clogs

Clogs no matter how hard we try will eventually happen in every Houston household.  There are a multiple of problems that can cause pipe clogs. Whether it is grease, hair, toilet paper and even sometimes children’s toys.  Whenever a clog happens it is not that hard to detect as your sinks and toilets will drain much slower than they typically would.  If the clog is extremely stubborn you will need to seek out the services of a local plumbing company to handle it for you.  If you do not have the clog taken care of as soon as possible it can lead to a slew of other problems, including joints that overflow which will eventually cause water damage.  Then to add insult to injury you may even require the services of a leak detection company to find where the joints have weakened and make the necessary repairs.

Bad Workmanship 

Bad workmanship that leads to pipe leaks is a very uncommon scenario in homes but it does happen sometimes.  Whenever someone hires an unqualified plumber or a person does the job themselves when they are not exactly sure with what they are doing this can lead to water leaks and other problems in the plumbing.  When this does happen it is typically due to joints not being done correctly or tight enough. Sometimes the use of inappropriate materials or by fixing one thing another thing was broken in the process.  When this happens and it is not quite sure where the leak is originating from a qualified and professional leak detection company will need to be brought in to find the source of the problem.

Pipe leaks in homes, once found can be easily repaired and if found in time it can save a lot by avoiding costly damages to the home or its foundation.  Hopefully you will have no need to look up a professional company any time soon, but if you do, do not wait until the problem gets worse.  Hire a professional leak detection company, such as, Ben Franklin Plumbing in Katy, TX as soon as possible to take care of the problem before it becomes a much bigger one.

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