How to Proactively Address Potential Sources of Leaks in Order to Prevent Water Damage

9/6/2021 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Carrollton offers tips on preventing water leaks in the home and what to do when a water leak causes a water damage disaster.

The professionals at SERVPRO of Carrollton understand firsthand how disruptive and stressful water damage in Carrollton, TX, can be. The SERVPRO team offers these tips to help prevent water damage from water leaks in the home.

Checking for Leaks

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers the following statistics on wasted water from household water leaks: “Annual household leaks waste 1 trillion gallons nationwide, equal to water use in 11 million plus homes. The average household’s leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year and ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day. Common types of leaks found in the home are worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. These types of leaks are often easy to fix, requiring only a few tools and hardware that can pay for themselves in water savings. Fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills.”

Resolving a household water leak boils down to four factors:

1. Problem: Is there a water leak in the home?
2. Source: Where is the water leaking from?
3. Repair: What will it take to fix the leak?
4. Restoration: What damage has the leak caused, and what measures are needed to repair the damage?

Discovering a leak can be challenging. Examining every inch of plumbing and every potential source of a water leak is impossible for the typical homeowner. However, a water leak will often leave some obvious clues that the homeowner can easily identify.

Listed below are some tips for discovering water leaks:

1. Inspect the water bill for an unexplained increase in usage.

Water usage during a colder month should be low compared to the middle of summer. Water usage for a family of four in January or February should not exceed 12,000 gallons per month. Usage levels above this amount indicate a serious leak.

2. Watch the water meter.

Suspend water usage for two hours. The reading on the water meter should not change; changes indicate a water leak somewhere.

3. Inspect faucet gaskets and pipe fittings with eyes and fingers.

Any surface water on the outside of the pipe or faucet may indicate a leak. Keep an eye out for water around the base of the faucet or on the counter around the faucet.

4. A drop of food coloring in the toilet tank will uncover toilet leaks.

Put one drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. If the water in the toilet bowl turns the color of the food coloring, there may be a leak. Remember to flush the toilet to prevent the food coloring from staining the tank.

Toilet Leaks

Over time, toilet bowl flappers lose their flexibility and do not consistently create a seal. The failure to create a seal leads to leaks, and a warped, loose-fitting flapper can waste 200 gallons of water per day.

Faucet Leaks

Like flappers, faucet washers can become old, hard, and worn, resulting in leaks. Flowing at a rate of one drop per second, as many as 3,000 gallons of water – the equivalent of 180 showers – can trickle down the drain per year.

Showerhead Leaks

Most homeowners have experienced the annoying drip of a leaking showerhead. Tightly connecting the showerhead and the pipe stem with Teflon™ tape can remedy most leaks. If the leak persists, have a licensed plumber diagnose and repair the problem. If needed, replace the washer or O-ring inside the showerhead when replacing the Teflon™ tape.

Outdoor Leaks

A small leak in a lawn irrigation system can waste about 6,300 gallons of water per month. Over the course of the summer, enough water to fill a medium-sized swimming pool leaks from the irrigation system. Secure the services of a reputable irrigation professional to inspect the system and make any repairs.

Small leaks from many different sources add up to big problems. A long-term leak can ruin flooring, collapse ceilings, cause wood support beams to rot, degrade a concrete foundation, and lead to a major mold infestation. If ignored or neglected by the homeowner, a water leak may negate a valid claim on the damages.

When a water damage disaster does occur, call in the water damage restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Carrollton. They have industrial-grade equipment to rapidly remove the water. Advanced water-detection devices ensure the drying process is thorough and complete. Specialized cleaning techniques and EPA-approved cleaning solutions make the once contaminated environment safe for humans and pets. The SERVPRO team is available 24/7, 365 days a year, and SERVPRO of Carrollton can manage the insurance claims process from start to finish.

Trust the restoration experts at SERVPRO of Carrollton for water, fire, storm, and commercial damage restoration. For more information about the water damage restoration company in Bent Tree, TX, contact SERVPRO of Carrollton by phone at (972) 446-0383 or by email at office@SERVPRO10952.com