7 Common Household Water Leaks
Water leaks are messy, inconvenient, damaging, and never seem to come at a good time. But water leaks aren’t always disastrous, coming on in a flood of rushing water that leaves inches of H2O on your bathroom floor. Most household water leaks are slow and hard to find. You may not realize that you have a leak right away.
Did you know the typical home loses between 2,000 and 20,000 gallons of water annually from leaks? This not only wastes water, but it wastes energy and money. Unfortunately, residential water leaks are very common, and require prompt plumbing repair in Boerne.
While some leaks are relatively easy to locate the source of, such as drippy faucets, others can be left undetected for days, months, or even years. Let’s take a look at the seven most common household water leaks.
1. Burst Pipes Due to Rust
Rust, the leading cause of water leaks, causes pipes to get corroded over the years. In turn, this introduces weakness in your pipes, especially at pipe joints. Your pipes can burst when excessive water pressure has been applied. And cracks can result during freeze/thaw cycles when pipes expand and contract. Burst pipes are inevitable in these conditions. Any little area of weakness can be compromised.
2. Water Softener Leaks
Many households have water softeners, which remove calcium, magnesium, and other minerals from water to convert hard water into soft water. The most common sign your water softener is leaking is if you see water puddling around the system, with the origin coming from anywhere from the brine tank and valves to the hose and drain line.
Water leaks in water softeners commonly arise from:
- Loose water line connections
- Cracked bypass valve assemblies
- Defective rotor valves
If you have issues with your waterline, you can simply tighten up the fitting. But if the components themselves are damaged, these need to be replaced.
3. Water Supply Line Leaks
Water supply line leaks can be tricky to detect due to the fact that the supply pipes are located underground. With a severe enough leak, water will seep towards the surface above the pipe. However, other times, leaks will travel along the pipe and arrive at the meter on your house. Accumulation of water in that box often indicates a water supply leak.
4. Pool and Fountain Leaks
Leaks as tiny as pinholes can lead to the loss of 1,000 gallons of wastewater every single day. Your water bill will reflect a huge markup, but you may go a month without knowing about the leak until you receive that bill in the mail. Here are some signs to be on the lookout for:
- Loose tiles
- Algae formation right after chemical treatment
- Pool shell cracks
- Damp soil surrounding the pool
Make it a point to check your pool and fountain for signs of leaks on a regular basis. These are large bodies of water that can develop weaknesses at any time.
5. Faucet, Tub, and Shower Leaks
Dripping faucets and showerheads happen to be some of the most common leak sources, wasting a large amount of water if left unchecked. Hard water buildups or failed shower diverter valves are just two of the possible culprits. These types of repairs are usually easier than others.
6. Toilet Leaks
Yet another common water leak source is your toilet. Not only do these leaks waste a ton of money and water, they can be annoying to listen to in the middle of the night. Just like faucet leaks, toilet leaks are relatively easy to repair. In the case of a worn toilet flapper, you just need an affordable replacement.
Not sure if you have a leak? Try this quick test. Take off the lid, put a few drops of food coloring inside the tank, and wait about 20 minutes. If that color shows up in the toilet bowl, you have a leak.
7. Exterior Spigot Leaks
Plumbing leaks can happen outside too. Your outside spigots are much more vulnerable to extreme temperature changes and weather conditions than your indoor plumbing, which puts them at a higher risk for leaks and other damage. Wet walls, mildew, and puddles around outdoor spigots are a good indicator that you have a leak or even a broken pipe on the opposite wall of the spigot location.
Get Your Free Quote on Leak Repair From Plumb Star Plumbing
If you are experiencing any of the above household water leaks, call our expert plumbers in San Antonio for a full inspection. We can find the source of your water leak and fix it to save you money, convenience, and time. Contact us for a free quote on leak repair at (830) 981-8702.