Leaking pipes seem like a minor inconvenience more than anything, but ignoring them can cause this small concern to quickly spiral into a major problem. This article breaks down the most common causes of leaking pipes and how to resolve them.
Broken Seals
Pipes are generally very sturdy, maintaining their form under great heat and pressure without folding. Instead, the seals that connect pipes to a fixture (like a sink) are more likely to degrade and allow water to leak. This problem isn’t usually anything major, and you can even use plumber’s putty to fix it yourself.
Loose Pipe Joint
Similar to seals, joints are used to connect separate pipes together. These connections are also liable to loosening and weakening, causing leaks to arise. Sealant tape can be used as a temporary fix, but it’s worth getting proper joints to replace the old ones, ideally through a professional service.
Temperature Extremes
Temperature swings can cause huge problems for pipes as they expand and contract to match the heat levels. Cold weather can be especially problematic, causing pipes to contract and water to freeze and expand – two factors you don’t want at the same time.
Burst pipes are particularly common in winter, but aren’t as problematic to repair as you may imagine. Professional emergency plumbing services operate swiftly and can easily replace your broken copper pipe.
High Water Pressure
Pipes are required by law to adhere to strict pressure guidelines. However, outside of the public network, this isn’t easily controlled, leading to pressure issues for some. You can have your water pressure measured and fixed before it becomes a major problem, so keep your eyes peeled if you suspect any issues.
Corrosion Damage
This issue will only really happen if your pipework systems are extremely old, as corrosion takes a long time to cause serious damage. A steel or iron pipe will corrode more quickly than a plastic or copper pipe. Epoxy putty can plug any holes, but again, professional replacement services are your best bet for dealing with this problem.