The 4 Most Common Water Leaks in the Home and How to Fix Them

8/2/2021 (Permalink)

Severe water damage putting a damper (pun intended) on your plans? SERVPRO North Irving’s water damage remediation experts are here to help!

The average US household uses 300 gallons of water per day. Get one of the common water leaks in the home, and you’ll lose a lot of gallons, too. Find out the most common household water leaks and how to fix them below. 

Severe water damage putting a damper (pun intended) on your plans? SERVPRO North Irving’s water damage remediation experts are here to help and are available 24/7. Call our Dallas location at (972) 986-7677 for a free estimate. 

#1 Most Common Water Leak in the Home: Clogged Drains

Dirt, hair, and other debris will clog up a drain and, if left unaddressed, can lead to a burst or cracked pipe.

Fixing a busted pipe is something you'll need a plumbing expert for. But, in this particular cause of common household water leaks, prevention is worth a pound of cure. 

Be mindful of what you put down the drain. Certain facial care and other beauty products, like mud masks, should not be washed down a drain. Periodically check the drains for clogs and remove debris. 

#2 Leaking Toilets

If you notice a toilet flushing on its own, there’s not a ghost in the pipe. The toilet is leaking due to a damaged flapper or flush valve. 

Sometimes, the seal under a toilet will leak. Unfortunately, these leaks often go unnoticed for a long time until severe water damage to the flooring, subfloor, and ceilings beneath occur. 

To check for a leaking toilet seal, follow your nose. A musty, smelly odor lingering in the bathroom can indicate a toilet leak, especially if screws or bolts at the toilet base are rusty. 

You’ll need to replace the seal and ensure the toilet is securely mounted. 

It's also possible the flooring has been damaged if the toilet's been leaking for some time. We can repair, replace, and remediate water damage to your bathroom floor. 

This resource from the DIY network gives step-by-step instructions for identifying and fixing common toilet leaks. 

#3 Too High Water Pressure

If the water pressure is too high, pipes can burst. So you’ll want to keep your water pressure at 60 to 80 psi. Higher than that, and the household plumbing can be damaged, resulting in leaks. 

Unfortunately, this is often out of your control if you live in a hilly area, a tall building, or near a fire hydrant. Contact a plumber for professional advice on how to manage the home’s water pressure. 

#4 Corroded Pipes

Nothing lasts forever, and neither does household plumbing. You can insulate the metal to extend the pipe’s lifespan, but pipes will corrode eventually.

Too low or too high pH levels in the water will cause faster corrosion. pH should be between 6.5 and 8.5. You can purchase pH level test strips from a hardware store and use water treatment tools to balance the levels. 

Fixing Common Water Leaks in the Home: The Bottom Line

Plumbing eventually corrodes, and even the most on top of it homeowner will experience a plumbing leak at some point. The trick is to get to clean the water asap and reduce humidity levels. 

But if you’ve been dealt a severe water leak or flood, some level of water damage will likely occur. Our water damage experts are faster to any disaster. Contact us day or night at (972) 986-7677 for a free estimate and quick water damage restoration.