Is Your Water Line Leaking?

If you suspect that your home is having plumbing issues, you will want to get it checked out right away. What starts out as a small plumbing problem can turn into a major issue in no time at all if not dealt with by a professional in a prompt manner. Then, what originally started out as a cheap, simple fix can cost you more than you originally expected. That’s why if there’s something wrong with your plumbing and pipes, such as strange noises, smells, or even if the water pressure seems unusually weak, you should act immediately to solve the problem and get your homes plumbing back to perfect working condition as soon as possible.

One of the most common types of plumbing issues, along with clogged toilets, are line leakages. Although you may sometimes not even be able to notice a leak in one of your pipes, visually at least, you will definitely be able to notice the change in your water bill. This will be due to the water that will continuously be flowing from the damaged line. Even if it’s just a small leak, over time, it will eventually cost you money. Not only that, but the crack that’s causing the leak has a great likelihood of expanding, which can create an even bigger problem.

There are a few main things that can cause your water lines to leak. These include:

• Ordinary wear and tear— if you live in an older home, it’s normal for your water lines to spring a few small leaks after years of use. A plumbing professional will be able to fix any old water lines quickly and easily. You can also be proactive with the maintenance of your home and have a plumber come out to your home every couple of years, before a problem arises, just to check and make sure everything is running smoothly.


• Trauma or damage to water lines— it’s not a big surprise that natural disasters like tornadoes and earthquakes can easily damage or crack your water lines. However, it’s important to realize that even if a natural disaster or other incident doesn’t directly touch or affect your home that you can see, your water lines run underground and can be damaged without you noticing right away.

• Freezing temperatures— when temperatures reach below freezing, it causes a lot of extra stress on your pipes. This can cause them to easily crack in places where it stays cold for long periods of time.

If you have a problem with you plumbing and you think it might be from a leak in one of your water lines, there are a few ways that you can try checking for yourself before calling a plumber.

1. Monitor your water bill. If you notice a steady incline, or simply that your water bill is more expensive than when you first moved in, this is a huge indicator of a leak somewhere.
2. Check the pressure of the water flow in all of your faucets. Weak streams, or faucets that sputter when turned on are also indicators of leaks.
3. Visually examine pipes to see if anything appears damaged or out of the ordinary. You can sometimes spot the cracks or damage with your own eyes.

By monitoring these signs, you can catch water line leaks early so they get taken care of in a timely manner.