A leak in your main water line can very quickly run up your water bill and, what’s worse, cause severe damage to your property. More often than not, your water main will continue to supply water to your home for decades without issues. So, what can cause that sturdy, reliable pipe to start leaking? There are a few common culprits. Keep reading to learn what they are and how to find main line repair in Sacramento, CA.
Common Causes of Home Water Line Leakage
Faulty Installation
A bad installation is one of the more common causes of a main line leak. There are many ways that the initial installation can go wrong. These include using substandard materials, improperly fitted connections in the pipe, or incorrect pipe placement. Each of these issues can lead to a leak in its own way, but the bottom line is that your water main line is a lot more likely to fail prematurely when the builder did the job wrong.
Freezing and Thawing
Sacramento might not have especially harsh winters, but occasionally, the ground can freeze during an unexpected cold snap. If your water main is less than 4 feet below the ground’s surface, these frosty fronts can impact the pipes. As you know, frozen pipes are likely to rupture, so keep an eye on this issue if the weather gets freezing. Note that exposed pipes will freeze long before underground ones, though, so if your above-ground pipes are still okay, you shouldn’t have to worry about this problem with your water main.
Shifting Soil
The soil around your pipe doesn’t have to get cold for it to start shifting. The earth under and around your home is constantly experiencing minute changes in pressure, density, and moisture content. But if the soil shifts too much, it could put excess pressure on your underground pipes. Or, the soil under the pipe can erode, no longer giving the pipe the support it needs, and causing it to buckle and break eventually.
Invading Tree Roots
Thirsty trees are also a common problem for water main lines. A tree’s roots can reach for yards and yards in their search for moisture—and sometimes, they’ll creep right into your pipes. Tiny roots that are barely larger than a strand of hair can easily slip into the joints of your water main. But those roots can grow and tangle together, making those joints split apart and causing blockages inside your pipes and becoming a nightmare to deal with.
Damage from Pests
You’re probably aware of the many ways in which pests can damage your home—chewing up drywall, fraying electrical wires, and so on. But did you know they can also cause damage to your water main and other underground pipes? Typically, you’re not going to have to worry about rodents trying to chew on your pipes; their teeth can’t gnaw on the material these pipes are typically made of.
However, gophers and moles can dig tunnels under and around your water mainline. This can leave spaces beneath parts of the pipe and, just as with shifting soil, cause the pipe to buckle and break in spots where it doesn’t have the right amount of support beneath it.
Simple Aging
Finally, it’s important to remember that everything has an expiration date, and that includes your water mainline. As sturdy as it is, even under ideal conditions, it will wear out eventually. If your home is more than 50 years old and you’re experiencing water main issues, the line is probably just old enough that it needs to be replaced.
If you need water main repair in Sacramento, contact Bullseye Leak Detection for fast, professional service.
Signs You Should Consider Water Line Repair or Replacement
Water problems in the home are never fun to deal with, and they usually require the expertise of a plumber to fix. Of all the plumbing issues that affect homes, the one that causes the biggest frustrations is water line repair. This is a repair that requires accessing the water line under the home’s concrete slab.
But how do you know if you need water main repair in Sacramento? After all, underground pipe leaks aren’t noticeable like water leaks under kitchen or bathroom sinks. The key to detecting these leaks is knowing the not-so-subtle warning signs of a water leak.
If you notice any of the following problems in your home, call your trusty water leak finder (aka the plumber) right away to discuss water line repair or replacement!
Discolored Water
Did you turn on the water and discover yellow or rust-colored water flowing from the tap? This is a problem and shows there’s rust somewhere in the pipes. Sometimes, discolored water is a sign of water heater problems. However, if the problem is a water heater issue, you will only have discolored water when the hot water’s in use.
Sudden Drop in Water Pressure
Water pressures can fluctuate when there’s high usage throughout the home. For example, someone’s taking a shower while the dishwasher is running. Water pressure problems you need to take more seriously are those that happen suddenly. When a water pipe bursts, it stops the water flow. Usually, this problem isn’t noticeable except for the sudden change in water pressure.
Rusty Pipes
If you live in an older home, it’s always a good idea to inspect visible pipes every once in a while. Check for signs of corrosion or rusting on the pipe’s surface. Even the tiniest amount of rust can eat through the pipe and cause a pinhole leak. Even if you have rust-resistant piping, it’s still important to look for signs of rust now and again because rust-resistant doesn’t mean it’s 100% rust-proof. If you have an older home with signs of pipe wear and tear, consider replacing your pipes as soon as possible to avoid a burst pipe or other precarious situation.
High Water Bill
A higher than average water bill is normal when you’ve increased your water usage. But what if you haven’t changed your water consumption habits? Exorbitant water bills often point to a leak somewhere in the pipe system you can’t see. You need to call a plumber to come out to your home to use a professional water leak detector device and find out where the water’s leaking from. After you have this information, then you’ll be able to determine if you need water line repair or water line replacement.
Constant Leak Repair
Have you had to call for leak repair several times over the last few months? Are you having more and more problems with leaky pipes in your home? This is the #1 reason to consider immediate water line replacement. The sooner you install new pipes in your home, the fewer chances you’ll have of needing emergency water line repair.
The Perks of Timely Water Line Repair
A water line leak isn’t always a huge problem for the average homeowner to repair. Unless, however, that water leak is ignored and allowed to continue unabated without the proper repair being made. Plumbing leaks aren’t uncommon. When they do occur, a swift resolution is necessary to keep your plumbing in top condition and to minimize the potential damage it can do if left unattended for a significant amount of time. The best way to protect your property and your investment is with quick water line leak repair.
Ignoring the need for water line repair in Sacramento, CA, won’t make the problem go away. In fact, it will compound it dramatically. That’s why water leaks need to be repaired as soon as possible. That’s one reason that leak detection services can be a benefit to homeowners. They save time and the hassle of searching for a water leak by helping homeowners find leaks at their source and repair them quickly before they can do secondary damage to your structure. Keep reading to learn just a few of the benefits you’ll enjoy by locating and repairing your plumbing leaks in a timely manner.
Keeps Utility Bills in Check
When your plumbing springs a leak, water may flow constantly from the compromised pipe or fixture. While that may not seem like a big problem, it can cost you a great deal of money on elevated water bills until the leak is repaired. If you live in a municipality where waster use is restricted, an uncontrolled leak could cut into your usable water allotment or result in costly fines. The best way to avoid these negative outcomes is by fixing the leak as soon as possible.
Minimizes Repair Costs
A small leak may not be costly to repair if caught soon enough. However, if your leak goes on without ceasing, it could result in a higher repair cost as damage spreads to other parts of the system near the leak. Water comes into your home under great pressure, and when a leak goes unattended, it can compromise other plumbing components. Making a repair early on is one of the best ways to keep repair costs at a minimum.
Prevents Structural Damage
Water is a life-giving resource, but it can also be quite destructive under the right circumstances. Many houses are built on wood structures, and leaks that occur in your walls can cause problems for wood studs and beams as well as drywall. That is especially true if the leak goes on for some time, which can lead to rot and deterioration of the affected part of your home. Fixing leaks early on can mitigate that secondary damage and keep you from spending more on extra repairs not related to your plumbing system.
Inhibits Dangerous Mold
Mold and mildew will quickly set up shop in your walls if provided with a damp, dark environment in which to grow. If you have a leak that is buried in your walls or below your floors, it can quickly lead to mold and mildew growth that can cause your health to deteriorate and compound structural damage that is done as a result of the unrepaired leak. Fixing water leaks in a timely fashion can prevent mold and mildew from growing, which will save your money and headaches in the future.
If you think you may have a water leak in your residence, contact Bullseye Leak Detection, Inc., to take the guesswork out of finding it. They will locate the leak and make the appropriate repairs quickly to avoid extensive secondary damage, mold growth, and elevated repair costs. If you have a water line leak, call them at 916-760-8944.
