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How To Prevent Plumbing Leaks

Aug 10, 2020

Leaks are some of the most insidious home repair problems. There are generally two categories of leaks a homeowner will experience.  
The first are
costly leaks . This type of leak is slow and less noticeable to detect. These leaks are named as such because, when left unaddressed, they cause increases in your water bills over time. 
Unfortunately, if a slow leak isn’t detected quickly enough or is left unaddressed, it could become the second type; a
catastrophic leak . Catastrophic leaks are typically the result of a sudden event like a pipe burst or a water heater rupture. These leaks are usually much larger in scope and cause secondhand damage to floors and walls.
At
Lutz Plumbing, Inc. , we are always looking for ways to help our customers mitigate any plumbing problems before they occur. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the ways you can evade costly issues caused by leaks long before they occur. 

Check Your Appliances For Leaks

As your appliances age, so do their components; one consequence of this is broken seals. There are seals that are applied to your water connectors when your appliances are installed and after years of use, these seals wear down or break-- which, as you could probably guess, causes leaks.  
As a preventative measure, plan to regularly check your appliances’ water seals, including your washing machine, dishwasher, refrigerator, toilets and water heater.

Keep Your Sink In Check


Noticing the space underneath your sink is regularly wet isn’t uncommon. So, it’s important that you take the time to regularly check this area to make sure you aren’t developing any leaks from your components. Many under-sink leaks can be quick and easy fixes, however, a leaking garbage disposal can be more complex to repair or even require the complete replacement of the unit.  
To avoid prematurely wearing out your garbage disposal unit, be sure to follow the proper precautions.

  • Avoid putting food items such as bones, rice, bread, nuts and seeds, egg shells, grease and oil and fruit pits down your garbage disposal. The items can wear down its grinding mechanisms, damage its seals or simply clog up your disposal.
 
  • Never put non-food items like paper towels or napkins down your garbage disposal.

  • Run cold water before and after running your disposal to make sure foods are dislodged and keep any residual oils or fats from congealing inside of your disposal’s components.
 

All white bathroom sink

Plumbing System Leak Detection

The easiest way to avoid water damage caused by leaks is to regularly monitor your plumbing systems. Detecting leaks can be tricky, though, so it’s recommended that you have a professional plumber run diagnostics on your plumbing rather than try to take on the task yourself. 
Lutz Plumbing utilizes video pipe inspection techniques to view your plumbing system internally. This allows your plumber to identify hard to detect issues like pinhole leaks, which are created when copper pipes come in contact with chemical compounds such as chloride, bromide or hypochlorite which are all found in household items.
These leaks, as their name suggests, are initially very small and
very hard to find. Over time, they can slowly corrode the piping around them if they go unnoticed. 
It’s generally suggested that you have your plumbing system checked once every two years, but in some cases more frequent inspections are advised. If you have noticed a change in your water bills or water pressure, it’s a good idea to have your plumbing checked as soon as possible. 

Another helpful tool that you can employ to keep leaks from causing damage in your home, even when you’re not home, is an
automatic water shut-off system. This device will detect water by monitoring water flow within pipes or on the floor. When water levels become irregular or rise above a certain level, the system will force the shut-off of your water supply. 
Call
Lutz Plumbing today at (913) 888-9500 to schedule a leak detection service or to learn if an automatic shut off system is right for your home.

Keep Leak Catastrophes at Bay



There are many measures you can take to make sure your home is protected from leaks and the emergencies they cause. Regular maintenance and early detection are crucial players in the leak protection playbook. 
Call
Lutz Plumbing, Inc. at (913) 888-9500 today to schedule a leak detection service and ask your expert plumber what additional steps you can take to avoid potential disasters before they start. 

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