Plumbing leaks can cost a lot of money both in high water bills and the cost of having the leak repaired. For this reason, homeowners should consider taking steps to prevent leaks from happening in the first place.

Improperly Installed Plumbing

Homeowners often experience leaks because the plumbing was not installed properly in the first place. For example, the soil might not have been properly compacted before you began constructing your home. This might have lead to foundation movement and soil settling. Your pipes can crack and break, which can lead to leaks. Also, the wrong pipes might have been used or the wrong fittings.

Leaking Faucets

Most faucets will eventually start leaking and will need to be repaired. The good news is that many of the causes of leaky faucets are inexpensive to repair. However, you'll want to hire a plumbing repair technician to perform the repairs rather than performing these repairs yourself since an improper repair job can lead to more leaks.

Broken Seals

Pipes and fixtures rely on seals to make sure that they do not develop leaks. These seals will sometimes wear out in locations such as a dishwasher door. When you notice a worn out seal, you'll often see condensation or puddles near the appliance. Repair the seal to avoid wasting water.

Damaged Pipe Joints

The pipe joint is the weakest part of the pipe. If the pipe joint becomes damaged, it will start to leak. The joint will either need to be replaced or it can be repaired with a pipe lining. However, it shouldn't be repaired by a homeowner because there are problems that you might not be able to detect. 

Frozen Pipes

If your pipes freeze, they may later burst if they are not thawed quickly. This can lead to flooding and property damage. To prevent this, you will want to insulate your pipes and thaw them with a blow dryer if they do freeze. Pipes freeze most often in sections of your home that aren't insulated.

Clogged Lines

A clogged line can not only lead to a blockage, but can also become so clogged that the line bursts. This most often happens in HVAC systems, but can happen in other locations. Make sure to clean out lines whenever possible. There are many other issues that can cause plumbing leaks, but as long as you investigate and correct the problem, you'll minimize any damages.

If you have plumbing leaks, call your plumber for information on plumbing repairs today.