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waterleaks

How to Deal With the Most Common Reasons for Water Leaks

How do you know if you have a plumbing leak? Most of the time you may see pooling water, an unexplained hike in water bills, low water pressure, rust, mold growth, the sound of water rushing behind the walls and/or a musty odor.
While dealing with water leak repair can be messy and inconvenient, you can be proactive in managing the risk. There are certain issues with plumbing that most commonly are behind plumbing leaks. Here are what they are and what you can do about them.
Older Pipes

Aging Plumbing System

Your plumbing won’t last forever, so if you’ve got an older home in Salt Lake City, UT you may want to take note of the potential leak hazards inherent with old pipes.
Consider getting a professional water leak detection service to find problem areas. It is a good investment to upgrade old pipes before they cause leaks.

Water Quality Issues

Water QualityNot only does low water quality pose a threat to your health, those same impurities threaten your pipes as well. The residue from those mineral impurities gathers in your pipes and can cause decay and eventually water leaks.
To keep this problem at bay, install a water filtration system or a water softener to bring more balance to your water. This will improve your physical health and the health of your plumbing too.

Corrosion Problems

corrosionrustA major threat to the integrity of your plumbing is corrosion. This risk is even greater if you have copper pipes or if there is a high salt count in your water.
As a first step, it is a really good idea to replace copper piping with PVC. PVC is more durable and is also more resistant to rust.
Make a point of running water often. Stagnating water will speed up the corrosive process. Also keep your water temperature lower. Really hot water also promotes corrosion.

The Issue With Water Pressure

Water PressureWhile having strong water pressure is awesome when you want to take a shower, have a drink or fill your pots when you are cooking, the force of that water can be quite damaging to your pipes.
The strong water hammers your pipes, causing damage and leaks. To rectify this, check your water pressure on a regular basis. Make sure it resides in the 45-60 psi range. When it comes to your plumbing, a little preventative maintenance and vigilance can go a long way in helping to keep water leaks from forming.