While leaking pipes may seem like nothing more than an annoyance, over time these leaks can lead to water damage and even flooding in your home. If a pipe leaks in an area where you don’t spend a lot of time, such as the basement or utility room, you may be oblivious to the water damage, which will only worsen over time. To help prevent pipes from leaking and catch them early if they do, here are a few things that our water damage restoration experts think you should consider:
Water Damage Restoration In Augusta
Monitor The Water Pressure Going Through Your Pipes
Excess water pressure puts a lot of stress on pipes. Pipes are not designed to have any give, so they do not respond well to increases in water pressure. If the water pressure in your plumbing system exceeds 60 psi for extended amounts of time, pipes can spring leaks or burst. If you are unsure what the water pressure going into your home is, you can install a water pressure gauge that will give you a reading of the water pressure. Residential water pressure should never exceed 80 psi. If you have high water pressure in your home, you should have a water pressure-reducing valve installed.
Install A Water Softener
Hard water has high mineral content, and mineral buildup inside of pipes will cause corrosion. Installing a water softener can help prevent damage to your pipes by removing excess minerals from the water. This will prevent the buildup of minerals, and help extend the life and structural integrity of pipes. Water softeners create an ion exchange between positively charged calcium and magnesium in the water and negative charged resin beads located in the softener. A salt tank is used to make brine that removes the collected minerals from the resin beads, and flushes them out. Without so much buildup inside, water will be able to flow freely and easily through pipes, reducing the pressure on them and slowing down the corrosion process.
Check Pipe Connections And Joints
Pipe connections are prone to leaks if they are not connected tightly and sealed properly. To adequately seal connections and joints, there should be tight fittings, and the use of both tape and pipe joint compound should be utilized. Joints on chrome trap assemblies rely on rubber slip joint washers to provide a seal, but often leak. You should consider having the new slip joint washers put in every few years to prevent leaks from aging. Check fittings regularly and make sure they are tight, and properly seal joints and reinforce those sealing periodically to prevent pipes from leaking. Doing this simple step can save you from costly water damage restoration further down the road.
If you live in Augusta and have been affected by water damage from a leaky pipe, broken water line, or from an overflowing appliance, the water damage restoration experts at Rumsey Construction are here to help. Our certified technicians are on call 24/7 so that we can arrive immediately to fix your water damage problem. With the use of advanced technology, powerful tools, and industry-leading methods, our water damage restoration team will restore your home the right way.
