SCHEDULE ONLINE4 Tips to Prevent Plumbing Leaks
Eventually, every home will experience one type of leak or another. Hopeless as it may sound, there are actually some things that you can do in order to minimize potential plumbing leaks or at least catch them early on before any damage is done. Would you like to know how? Here are some tips to follow from our Orange County plumbers.
1. Checking Faucets
One of the most common sources of plumbing leaks in almost every home is the faucet. Have you noticed your faucet leaking from its handle when it’s turned on? This usually means a worn out packing washer or even a loose packing nut. All you may need to fix this type of leak is a pair of pliers or an adjustable wrench. When the nut is tight, you would have to turn off the water supply so that you can remove the faucet handle. Unscrew the nut and pull out the packing washer so that you can put in the replacement. Put back the nut and faucet handle. Make sure you do not overtighten and damage the thread.
2. Different Pipe Types
As you put in some improvements in your home, it becomes inevitable that you would have to connect new plumbing lines to the existing one. This would usually mean using different types of pipes that will be connected to each other. Usually, when two different types of piping materials are joined, leaks will eventually follow because of the reaction between the two types of pipes. To make sure that this problem does not happen or is at least minimized, use special transition fittings that can be glued, threaded, or crimped. Also use as much pipe joint compound and Teflon tape as necessary. At Scott English, we specialize in all types of piping, including copper pipe plumbing, and can help with this issue.
3. Flexible Supply Tubes
Are you familiar with the thin chrome or copper tubes used as connectors for faucets and toilets? Although effective, these are quite challenging to cut as well as bend around corners. When not handled properly, these can break and lead to leaks without being noticed. A good way to deal with this is to swap out these chrome or copper tubes with flexible supply hoses that have braided covering. The rubber gaskets make sealing easier and the flexibility allows for various plumbing configurations. The only thing you should be concerned with is that the right sized nuts for the ends must be used. Always hand-tighten the nuts and add a half turn to secure it to prevent leaks.
4. Checking the Lines
We have heard it time and time again that prevention is better than cure. When it comes to your plumbing system, you do not need to have the technical skills to make sure that leaks are prevented; all you need is the dedication and discipline to regularly inspect your supply lines. The moment that you find corrosion, cracks, or even the hint of a leak coming on, call on a plumbing specialist to have the line replaced immediately.
Plumbing experts would agree that when it comes to leaks, sometimes the culprit is the valve along the supply line. So do not just check the pipes of the line itself, but also pay close attention to all the elements along it. The moment that you see a puddle of water near the valve, it can be an indication that the packing nut or a gasket has worn out. You can try tightening the nut about an eight turn to see if this will solve the leak.
These tips are somewhat quick fixes to prevent or attempt to catch leaks before they do substantial damage. Are you serious in protecting your plumbing system and your property? Then the only sure fire way to prevent damage from leaks is to call Scott English Plumbing today to schedule a plumbing inspection.