PREVENTING WATER DAMAGE IN YOUR HOME

A water leak in your home can seem like a small issue but it can cause significant damage if it’s a major leak or a burst pipe and no one is around to shut off the water. Here are some tips to help prevent a water leak in your home.

Always check your water bill

If your water bill seems to be uncharacteristically high, you may have a water leak. Listen for any sounds of dripping water from faucets or periodic refilling of your toilets water supply. None of these issues typically cause damage to your home but they can cause damage to your wallet through increased water bills. For toilets, try replacing the flapper valve located at the bottom of the tank. For faucets, installing a new o-ring or cartridge typically stops the drip.

Inspect your plumbing & fixtures

Periodically do a simple inspection of your piping and water supply lines. Look under kitchen and bathroom sinks. Make sure that the pipes are not leaking at the joints or from the bottom of the p-trap. Check around your water heater and appliances that use water like your dishwasher, refrigerator with ice maker, sinks, bathtubs, showers and toilets. Now inspect the supply lines to those same fixtures. Check for corrosion on supply line fittings and valves while checking for stains below the connections. Turn the supply lines off and on to make sure that they work properly and don’t leak when activated.

Inspect your ceilings and walls

Inspect rooms directly below any bathrooms. Look for stains on walls or ceilings or a musty smell. Look for discolored, cracked or warped flooring. If you have a basement or crawl space, check exposed drain pipes and look for signs of water leaks.
These tips can help you avoid or minimize water damage to your home. If during your periodic inspection you find any water leaks, signs of water damage, corrosion of pipes or suspect you have a water leak, call Option One Plumbing today.