How to Prevent Leaky Pipes

2/1/2016 (Permalink)

Leaky pipe.

Stress on pipes can result in leaks which can be expensive to fix, replace and, not to mention, could cause extensive water damage to your home, business and personal items if they burst. Here are some ways to decrease the amount of stress and pressure on your pipes.

High water pressure can feel nice in the shower and it may seem like the dishes are getting done faster but, this can put an unnecessary amount of strain on your plumbing. You can get a hose bib gauge at your local hardware store to test the pressure. Attach it to an outside spigot and open the valve. Normal pressure is between 40-85 PSI so if you pressure measures above this, you may want to consider hiring a plumber to install a pressure reducer. You can also install a low flow shower head in your bathroom to help reduce pressure there.

Hard water is another obstacle as far as pipes are concerned. Hard water is water with a higher than normal amount of mineral content such as calcium or magnesium present. These minerals can build up inside your pipes which restricts flow and in turn, increases the pressure. Deposits can also corrode joints and fittings over time. If you see a white substance on our faucet heads, you more than likely have hard water. If you are unsure or want more proof, ask your local municipality to view the water quality report they are required to have through the Environmental Protection Agency.  The only way to effectively soften the water in your home or business is by having a plumber install a water softener.

Wrap your pipes. If you have exterior piping and plan on going out of town in the winter months, take precautions to prevent coming home to a disaster. Wrap your pipes in electrical heat tape or a pipe sleeve which you can purchase at your local hardware store to prevent them from freezing. Remember, if the water is not constantly moving and the cold water pipes touch the exterior of the building when the temperature gets below freezing, your pipes will most likely freeze!

Set the spigot valve. If you have a pipe running through cement to your outside spigot valve, it’s always a good idea to install a frost-free hose bib which allows you to shut off water to the inside of the home preventing freezing.

These are all relatively simple and in expensive ways to protect your pipes that in the end could save you thousands of dollars!