How To Prevent Water Line Breaks in Texas
The water lines for your Dallas-Fort Worth area home carry large amounts of water at high pressures, so if they break, they can cause an incredible amount of damage in very little time. Outside, this could mean soil erosion and foundation settling, but the broken pipes can cause expensive water damage, mold problems, or even structural issues if they’re inside.
To protect your home, it’s important to understand what causes pipes to break and how you can prevent it. The experienced plumbers at Leak Geeks Plumbing will help you prevent a messy and costly disaster.
Why Do Water Lines Burst & Leak?
Water lines can fail for many reasons, including:
- Freezing temperatures
- Corrosion in copper, iron, or steel pipes
- High pressure
- A faulty pressure-reducing valve that increases pressure in the pipes
- PVC or CPVC pipes that become brittle with age
- Erosion or shifting soil
- Defective materials like polybutylene
- Chemical exposure
- A poor installation with unsecured pipes, loose fittings, or accidental damage
- Mineral buildup in the pipes due to hard water
Some signs that you may have a water leak somewhere in or around your home include damp spots or standing water on the floor, wet or stained drywall, high water bills, reduced water pressure, mold problems, condensation problems, damp soil near the foundation, or unexplained sounds like dripping or running water.
Need Help?
817-431-89295 Tips To Prevent Water Line Issues
Although not all water line issues are preventable, anything you can do to avoid a huge mess and costly repairs is a good thing. Here are a few ways that you can prevent pipe leaks and burst pipes in the future:
Have Your Water Lines Inspected Often
A professional plumber with a keen eye can spot problems like pipe damage, corrosion, missing pipe insulation, poorly secured pipes, or loose fittings anywhere the pipes are accessible. Have an inspection done once every year or two to catch problems early, especially if you have old pipes or vulnerable materials like galvanized steel and PVC.
Watch for Signs of Leaks
Keep an eye out for damp floors, wet drywall, sagging ceilings inside your home, and damp soil or puddles outside your home. As a homeowner, you’re responsible for repairs to all the piping within your property lines, including any buried water supply lines.
Insulate Your Pipes
Although long periods of freezing temperatures are rare in the North Fort Worth area, the occasional overnight freeze can still significantly damage your plumbing system. Make sure your pipes are properly insulated, and if cold weather is expected, disconnect hoses, drain any exterior plumbing, and install heat tape on pipes that are vulnerable to freezing.
Replace Old or Defective Pipes
Some pipe materials are more prone to damage than others. Cast-iron or steel pipes can rust away easily, while PVC or CPVC can become brittle and snap. Polybutylene can be damaged by chlorine exposure, and PEX fittings can pop off if not crimped properly. If you have old, damaged, or vulnerable piping, have it replaced as soon as possible to prevent future problems.
Install a Water Softener
If you have hard water, installing a water softener can prevent the mineral accumulations that clog your pipes, faucets, and fixtures with minerals while preventing soap scum and water spots on your dishes. A water softener works by replacing excessive calcium and magnesium with harmless sodium or potassium ions.
Get a Professional Inspection in DFW!
Keep your pipes in great condition and prevent future breaks with a professional plumbing inspection from our team at Leak Geeks Plumbing. We have the advanced technology and experience to handle any plumbing leaks you may encounter, and we offer a full line of pipe repair and replacement services for your home in Keller or the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
We have over 20 years of plumbing experience and proudly offer prompt service with upfront pricing and excellent reviews.
Call or contact Leak Geeks online to schedule professional plumbing inspections, leak repairs, pipe replacements, and more in the DFW area!
Why Choose Leak Geeks Plumbing?
Got Leaks? Get the Geeks!
At Leak Geeks Plumbing, we guarantee prompt and reliable service for all your plumbing needs. Our team of experienced technicians is committed to providing you with the best possible service, and we stand behind our work with a satisfaction guarantee. Some of the benefits of choosing Leak Geeks Plumbing include:
- Upfront pricing with no hidden fees.
- All work is performed by trained, licensed, and insured professional plumbers.
- Uniformed, courteous, and informed plumbing service technicians.
- State-of-the-art equipment and technology.
- Guaranteed workmanship quality for all plumbing repair and installation services
- We leave no mess behind.