Discovering that you have a water leak somewhere in your home is an unwelcome surprise. Especially if you haven’t had to deal with a water leak before. Water leaks can often seem like little problems at first, but if they’re left to worsen they can end up causing a huge amount of damage. One of the best ways that you can protect your home from water leaks is by knowing what can cause them so that you know what to look out for in the future. Take a look here at what a water leak is and what can cause them.

What is a water leak?

A water leak is what happens when water is escaping from the area in which it is supposed to be contained. They can happen in multiple different rooms of your home such as the bathroom or kitchen as well as within the structure of your home. Water leaks can affect pipes, plumbing fixtures, dripping taps and faucets as well as water storage tanks and hot water cylinders. There are many different circumstances that can lead to a water leak developing and often these are outside of your control.

What can cause a water leak?

1. High water pressure

High water pressure can strain your pipes if the pressure is too intense. Most pipes are designed to only hold up to a certain pressure, anything beyond that and your pipes risk bursting. If you’re worried that your pipes are becoming strained, you can get a licensed plumber to measure the pressure for you.

2. Intruding tree roots

Invasive tree roots can cause a lot of damage without you even noticing. Roots can breakthrough underground pipes and intrude on waterlines as they grow larger and their root systems spread. If you notice wet patches in your lawn or sinkholes appearing in your yard this is often a sign that your pipes have become damaged and a water leak has occurred.

3. Clogged lines or drains

Drains in your home can easily become clogged with things such as excess hair, dirt and other debris. As the clog gets worse over time it can cause the drain or pipe to block completely or burst open into a water leak resulting in a lot of damage.

4. Corrosion

Corrosion is often an inevitable issue when it comes to water pipes. As your pipes and plumbing system age it is often the case that holes will form in the pipes leading to water leaks in your home. You can try and avoid this by insulating the pipes to maintain their durability but they will still need to be replaced eventually.

5. Extreme temperature fluctuations

Extreme temperature changes can cause pipes to burst open and crack, especially if they’re going from extreme cold to hot. This is most common in areas that have extremely cold winters. These extreme temperature changes can often be alleviated by wrapping the pipes in insulation so that the cold temperatures do not affect your plumbing as intensely. This will help to reduce such extreme temperature fluctuations and help to prevent water leaks from developing from burst or damaged pipes.

6. Broken seals

Water leaks can often be the result of something as simple as a broken seal. When appliances are installed into your home they often have a seal around the water connectors. As the appliances age, these seals can weaken and break, resulting in a water leak at the connection point. You can tell if the seals have weakened or burst by checking to see if there are puddles of water or condensation near the appliances water connection points.

7. Poor workmanship

Poor workmanship isn’t often the cause, however, sometimes faulty installation or inferior quality supplies can lead to water leaks in your home. Avoid this by ensuring that you hire a certified professional who has a work history that can be verified.

8. Weak or damaged pipe joints

To supply your home with water you often will have an entire maze of pipes beneath your home that have multiple connections throughout so that water gets to where it needs to go. These connection points, unfortunately, are often the weakest point of your plumbing system. When these pipe joints or connections age and deteriorate they can become damaged and begin leaking. If you suspect that the joints of your pipes are leaking it is best to call in a qualified professional who can isolate the leak and repair it for you.

Having a water leak spring up in your home is an issue that needs to be seen immediately. Water leaks cause a lot of damage if they’re left unattended so it pays to keep an eye on your home and take notice of any unexpected water that appears. If you’re looking for the services of a local plumbing expert, give the team at Same Day Trades a call today.