No-one wants to deal with unexpected plumbing damage and costly repairs. Your best defense against most plumbing disasters is diligent attention—recognizing signs of trouble and fixing problems before they wreak havoc on your household.
These are some common causes of plumbing damage and the steps you can take to prevent them:
- Backed-Up Sewer Lines: You should be able to see this coming: Multiple slow-draining fixtures, or sludgy water pooling around the drainpipe in your basement, mean your sewer line is clogged or damaged. Call your plumber!
- Toilet Backup: A backed-up and overflowing toilet can lead to serious structural damage. Assuming the problem isn’t a blocked sewer drain, your toilet could be clogged by large items such as disposable diapers, sanitary napkins or paper towels. A plunger may be all you need to get that toilet unclogged, but caution family members to avoid putting these objects down the toilet.
- Frozen Pipes: Exposed and/or uninsulated water pipes can freeze and rupture quickly and cause considerable damage to surrounding areas. Spring is an ideal (i.e., comfortable) time to ensure they are properly insulated against winter temperatures.
- Broken Fittings or Cracked Pipes: This is mostly an age-related problem, but a sudden impact can also break fittings and crack pipes and result in a gush of water. Check your pipes regularly for drips and arrange for repairs promptly. And be sure to monitor pipes for new leaks after any sudden impact or seismic disturbance.
- Damaged or Old Water Heater: Older units can have a blocked drain valve, or develop leakage problems in the bottom of the tank. Periodically check your water heater for leaks and arrange for prompt repairs or a replacement, if needed.
- Sump Pump Failure: A single failure can cause extensive flood damage. Test your unit regularly and make sure your sump pump has an alternative energy source in case of a power outage.
- Toilet Runs and Drips: Beside the annoying sounds, a drip or running toilet can be a precursor to a leak. Check frequently around the base of your toilet tank and bowl for moisture and don’t wait to repair or replace the unit if it shows any sign of leaking.
- Leaking Air Conditioner: When the line to the drainpipe is clogged, the water still must go somewhere, usually on the floor. If your unit is rusting or leaking with age, it’s time to shop for a replacement.
- Overflowing Dehumidifier: Many households use dehumidifiers during the summer months. If you have a tube running from the unit to your drainpipe, periodically check to ensure that water is running freely down the drain. If your dehumidifier has a catch pan, empty it often.
- Washing Machine Line Ruptures: The water line to your washing machine may be a PVC or rubber line, especially if you have an older model. These lines wear out and can spring a leak. Replace them with braided stainless steel.
- Leaking Garbage Disposal: Age can cause your unit to spring leaks around the bottom housing, which can result in serious damage to your kitchen cabinets, flooring and areas underneath. Check under your kitchen sink for leaks and replace that old disposal unit before it breaks down.
Ensuring Successful Do-It-Yourself Projects:
Some plumbing repair jobs are simple enough to do yourself. But disasters can occur if you are not attentive to the details. Below are a few ways to avoid problems:
- Turn off the water source to the affected area before you begin any repair.
- Avoid over- or under-tightening plumbing components because both can lead to leaks. Tighten connections carefully and without undue force, then turn the water source back on. Wait and watch the repair for a few minutes, then tighten just a bit more if you see signs of moisture at the connecting points.
- Use the correct size piping in every repair. Incorrect sizing can lead to corrosion and, eventually, a burst pipe.
- Use the proper tools for repairs. For instance, connecting different types of piping materials without a specially designed separator is an invitation to a leak.
Good stewardship plus careful attention to details during any plumbing repair should keep plumbing disasters to a minimum!
