Tips To Keep Pipes From Leaking And Water Damage From Occurring

The constant ‘drip, drip’ from a leaky pipe is a major nuisance and annoyance in your Framingham home. Even more than that though, leaky pipes can actually become a serious problem. If a pipe leak goes unnoticed or untreated for too long, your home will be left with prolonged water damage. So, how can you help prevent leaky pipes in your own home, and in turn help reduce the risk of water damage? The water damage experts at MA Restoration are here to give you a few tips to keep your pipes from leaking.

Water Damage In Framingham

1. Check pipe joints and connections regularly. Wherever pipes are joined together or turned are areas that are prone to leaks. It is important to check these connections and joints to be sure that they are secure and tightly sealed. To adequately seal connections, there should be tight fittings, and often the use of both pipe joint compound and plumbers tape should be utilized. Some joints, like those on chrome tap assemblies, require rubber slip joint washers to provide a secure seal, but these are also prone to leaks and should be checked regularly. In fact, to best prevent leaks and loosening from occurring, slip joint washers should be replaced every few years. Periodically check the fittings on your pipes and make sure they are tight and properly seal and reinforce joints to prevent pipes from leaking. 
2. Make sure the water pressure going through your pipes is not too high. Excess water pressure puts unnecessary strain on pipes and after so long will cause them to spring leaks in order to release some of that pressure. Pipes are not designed to have any give, so you must monitor the pressure going through them. IF water pressure going into your home exceeds 60 psi, over time it will cause your pipes to leak or burst. Not sure what the water pressure in your home is at? Don’t worry, it is super easy to install a water pressure gauge that will give you a reading. Most hardware stores carry water pressure gauges that you buy and attach to an exterior faucet on your home. Then, you turn the water on and let it take a reading. Residential water pressure should never exceed 80 psi. If you find that your water pressure is too high, your local hardware store will come in handy again. You can purchase a water pressure reducing valve and have it installed to help keep the pressure running through your pipes at a safe level.
3. If you don’t have one already, install a water softener. Hard water has high mineral content, meaning it leaves behind mineral buildup inside your pipes. This can lead to corrosion, damage, and restricted water flow which increases the pressure in the pipes and makes them at high risk for leaks or bursts. Water softeners remove excess minerals from the water by creating an ion exchange between positively charged calcium and magnesium in the water and negatively charged resin beads inside the softener. A salt tank then creates a brine that removes the collected minerals from the resin beads and flushes them out. This means less build up in your pipes over time, and will help to extend the life span and structural integrity of your pipes. 

If you notice water damage in your home from a leaky pipe, or any other cause, don’t hesitate to call MA Restoration. We specialize in water damage restoration and repair from any and every source, and know how to get the problem solved quickly and correctly.