Leaking Pipe Repair College Station
6 Areas in Your Home Where Your Pipes Might Leak
Leaky pipes can be the bane of a homeowner’s existence. They start out as small wet spots on the floor and on drywall, they can lead to flooding and extensive water damage, and they can drive up your water bill unnecessarily. Even in new homes, and even with newer appliances, a leaky pipe can be a nightmare, costing you hundreds of dollars, hours of your time, and much of your sanity.
There are a few areas in every home that are likely culprits for leaky pipes, and as a homeowner, it’s important to be aware of the potential for leaks in these spots. Keep an eye on these six areas in your home, both for leaks and for potential plumbing upgrades to prevent future leaks.
- Refrigerator icemaker
It’s tough to beat the convenience of an automatic ice maker right in the door of your fridge, but unfortunately, that convenience can come at a hefty price. There are several places where your ice maker can break and start to leak, whether it’s a faulty valve, a filter that’s been clogged up, a water line that’s cracked from being too close to the freeze and thaw cycle, and small hoses that aren’t made especially well, to begin with. Pay close attention to anything that seems awry with your ice maker, whether it’s unusual noise or a small puddle on the floor, as it can be the first sign of trouble. You can also have your plumber replace the original line with one made of more sturdy material.
- Water heater
The average life span of a water heater is about ten years, but with its daily use, that doesn’t mean things can’t go wrong inside of a decade. Shut off valves can stop working properly, pipes and fittings can crack, and the anode rod may be long past replacing. Fortunately, regular inspection by a plumber to make sure everything is working properly can go a long way in preventing a leak, and you’ll be able to replace an older tank before it bursts and causes a real mess.
- Toilets
A leaking toilet might not always cause damage to your home, especially if the leak is inside the tank, but it will certainly cause damage to your wallet. If you hear your toilet running frequently and notice an uptick on your water bill, it’s likely that there’s a faulty valve or an improper seal. Damage-causing leaks may come from a break in the flexible braided pipe behind the toilet or a loose connection at the base. Both of these are fairly straightforward repairs, but you definitely will want to address them immediately.
- Sinks
Whether the sink is in your bathroom, your kitchen, your laundry room, or somewhere else in your home, it’s possible to have leaks either from the faucet or under the sink itself. A leaky faucet isn’t likely to cause damage, but it will run up your water bill. This is usually caused by a worn out part (like a washer, valve, or o-ring) that needs replacing. Under the sink, the cause will either be a faulty hose, joint, or seal in the supply line or the drain line. All of these are relatively simple fixes, but taking care of them early is the key to preventing water damage.
- Washing machine
Most home washing machines are workhorses, and while the machines themselves aren’t necessarily prone to leaking, the hoses that bring water in and out of them are. Replacing old hoses on an otherwise functioning washing machine is one way to stave off any potential problems, especially if the older hoses show signs of wear. For peace of mind when you’re out of town, turn off the water supply to your washer before you leave your home for an extended period of time.
- Dishwasher
Much like washing machines, supply and drain hoses are often the cause of dishwasher leaks, though, on older models, the seal can wear out and cause leaks around the perimeter of the door. Try to get in the habit of visually inspecting the seal once a month to spot signs of weakness. Dishwasher leaks will usually (though not always) start small, so take action at the first sign of water getting out.
If you’re located in the Bryan or College Station, Texas area, give us a call for all of your plumbing needs. Whether you’ve got a leak that needs immediate attention or want to do some preventative maintenance, JBG Plumbing can handle all of your residential plumbing needs.
