Although we’re experts in blocked drains, we’ve discovered a few things about leaks along the way – drains and plumbing go hand in hand, especially since one can lead to the other.
Plumbing leaks are actually more common than you might think, and you’ll probably not realise you have one (or more) until the bill comes at the end of the month. Or until a yellow fungus-like spot grows on your walls. After all, who knew 3.28 billion litres of water had been lost in a single year?
Most leaks, thankfully, can be easily found and fixed. But if you’re in doubt you can always check the metre to see if everything’s working well.
Leaking can occur for several reasons and some of them can be avoided.
For example, the things you flush down the toilet can block your drain which, in turn, can cause leaking in your home. You should prevent leaks by keeping the pipes unclogged so that they don’t overflow and cause major damage to your property. So, please, avoid flushing your hand grenades!
The chemistry of the water flowing through the pipes is also an important factor to keep in mind. If the water is alkaline, a copper oxide film forms on the pipe walls, slowing the effects of corrosion. An acidic pH means that copper oxide film is dissolved. The consequence is the formation of leaks than can damage the very structure of your house.
Another source of leaks is an accumulation of rust or sediment in water heaters, which blocks valves and filters and creates leaking, especially in older tanks.
How can you tell if you have a leak in your drainage system? If the drain is carrying wastewater, the smell will be a giveaway. And, of course, these types of leaks can cause water to bubble out of the ground and damp patches in your garden. You might also notice cracks in the walls due to subsidence.
One of the most common leaks happens with faucets. They usually start to drip slowly, one drop at a time, before increasing in speed and quantity if they’re not fixed. If even one drop falls every two seconds you might be wasting more than 4.000 litres of water per year. Imagine how many baths you could take with that.
You might want to keep an eye on your toilet too. Toilet leaks are more difficult to find because they’re often silent (or out of sight). To even begin to look for a leak, remove the tank lid and inspect the flush mechanisms, bearing in mind that the water level shouldn’t be higher than the overflow tube. If it is, then the water is leaking to the tube and down the drain.
And, finally, if you decided to get a Jacuzzi and are now regretting your decision, don’t fret! Usually you can fix these kinds of leaks by making sure you don’t use it for a while. Air locks could have formed, which blocked the drainage system, but a good solution is indeed to not overwork your tub.
Here at Inspect-a-Drain we want to help you maintain your drainage system in order. That includes taking care of blocked drains in Mansfield and Stoke on Trent, and offering drain repairs should they be required. Feel free to contact us with any enquiry you might have about blocked drains, drain unblocking Derby or Nottingham areas covered.