Preventing Leaks by Reducing Pipe Stress

Leaks are a common plumbing problem that homeowners must face. If left undetected, even a small leak could have disastrous consequences.

03.22.2018

Leaks are a common plumbing problem that homeowners must face. If left undetected, even a small leak could have disastrous consequences. Not only will your plumbing system's performance suffer, but your home could be subjected to serious structural damage caused by water exposure.

Aging pipes are particularly susceptible to leaks because older pipes can lose their strength and durability over time. The aging of your pipes is unavoidable, but you can help your plumbing system age gracefully by reducing the amount of stress that your older pipes are subjected to on a daily basis.

Taking action to reduce pipe stress will improve the quality of your home's plumbing system and help you avoid serious leaks in the future.

One of the most important things that you can do to help maintain the quality and condition of your aging pipes is schedule regular pipe inspections. An experienced plumber will be able to use a specialized scope to access a video feed of the interior surfaces of your pipes.

This video feed allows the plumber to identify any areas that may be weakened by corrosion or vegetation root growth. Weak pipes are not capable of withstanding the stress of transporting water throughout your home, and these pipes could fail.

Regular inspections will allow you to identify pipes that are in need of repair. You can repair or replace weak sections of pipe to reduce the stress on your plumbing system as a whole, helping you avoid serious leaks from forming within your home.

You might think that high water pressure is a good thing since it can make for enjoyable showers. What you need to realize is that high water pressure could actually be damaging your home's plumbing system.

When the water pressure coming into your home is too high, your plumbing system is placed under duress. The additional stress experienced by the pipes, joints, and valves within your plumbing system when high water pressure is present could lead to plumbing failures, especially as your pipes begin to age.

Reducing your home's water pressure can be an effective way to protect your older plumbing system against stress-induced leaks. You can work with your plumber to install a pressure regulating valve near your water meter to help lower water pressure to a manageable level before water is circulated through your home's plumbing system.

If you have noticed white spots left behind on your dishes or a thin film covering the glass of your shower door, these could be signs that your home has hard water. The spots and film that you see are actually mineral deposits left behind when your water evaporates.

Hard water has a high concentration of trace minerals. These minerals can accumulate on the interior surfaces of your pipes over time, causing the diameter of your pipes to shrink. The resulting reduction in pipe diameter can restrict the flow of water, altering water pressure and placing unnecessary stress on your pipes.

Adding a water softener to your home will remove excess mineral deposits from your water supply before the water is circulated through your plumbing system. This function protects your aging pipes against the damage caused by mineral buildups, helping you avoid leaks in the future.

Helping your home's older plumbing system age gracefully is essential when it comes to controlling leaks. You can rely on the professionals at O'Fallon Sewer Service to inspect your plumbing system, add a pressure regulating valve, or install a water softener to help reduce stress on your home's aging pipes and prevent stress-induced leaks from plaguing your property.

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