How Can I Prevent Leaking Pipes

Is there anything I can do to increase the longevity of the piping in my home and prevent leaking pipes?

prevent leaking pipes in your home, there are several things you can do. To take overall stress off your pipes, measure the water pressure that is going through the pipes. If the water pressure in a plumbing system exceeds 60 psi for an extended period of time, water hammers may start to spring up. As a pipe moves and shifts under pressure, leaks can start to form, thus increasing the need to fix leaking pipes. To regulate pressure back down to a normal level (30-50 psi), have an experienced Roto-Rooter plumber make the appropriate adjustments to the water regulator on your property, or if necessary, add a water pressure reducing valve. Residential water pressure should never exceed 80 psi.

Another way to reduce stress on pipes is to install a water softener. Hard water has high mineral content, which can cause corrosion and lead to buildup of minerals inside water supply pipes. Installing a water softener can help prevent plumbing damage by removing the excess minerals from the water. The softener works by creating an ion exchange between the positively charged calcium and magnesium in the water and negatively charged resin beads housed in the softener appliance. A salt tank is utilized to make brine that removes the collected minerals from the resin beads and washes them down the drain.

How can I prevent pipes from leaking during the winter months?

Frigid temperatures during winter can freeze water inside your supply pipes. When water freezes, it turns to ice and expands, increasing pressure in the pipes and causing the pipes to burst. Remember to disconnect, drain and store your garden hoses during the winter to prevent outside spigots from freezing and bursting. You also can insulate water supply lines that are in unheated areas of the home, such as the basement, crawl spaces, attic, garage, and under kitchen and bathroom sinks to prevent frozen pipes.