One of the most effective ways for homeowners to maintain their plumbing cut their water costs, and avoid costly repairs is to detect and prevent leaks. Many plumbing jobs necessitate the assistance of a professional, and we always advise consulting Candu Plumbing before trying repairs to unfamiliar or intricate pipework. However, there are some actions you can take at home to avoid some of the most common household leaks.

Let’s look at five typical household leaks to keep an eye out for, as well as some prevention techniques to keep your plumbing and appliances in good operating order. Before allowing your leaks to turn into more significant issues, read the following.

1. Washing Machine

Washing machines are a necessary convenience, but leaks or overflows can be disastrous. Keep your washing machine on the lowest floor, preferably in a room with a floor drain. You could be looking at thousands of dollars in water damage if it’s on an upper floor and floods.

It would be best if you replaced your washing machine hoses every five years to avoid leaks. Instead of rubber hoses, utilize strengthened steel-braided hoses since they are more durable.

Finally, check your connections annually and know how to turn off the water to the washer in an emergency. If you’re going on vacation or have a second house with a washing machine, switch off the water supply to it when you know you’ll be gone.

2. Toilet

A toilet, like a washing machine, can flood your home in one of two ways: a leaking line or a water overflow. Although your toilet’s supply lines do not need to be replaced as frequently as your washing machines, you should still check them once a year, re-tightening or inspecting their condition as required.

Any prospective leak will most likely come from the fittings as long as the line appears to be in good condition, with no visible tearing or wear. Using a small pipe wrench, tighten it gently.

When your toilet clogs, an overflow might appear out of nowhere. As a general guideline, don’t flush any foreign objects down the toilet, including plastic wrappers, diapers, paper goods, or anything else that isn’t rubbish. If the bowl begins to overflow, cut off the water supply line and wait for the water level to return to normal before using it again. Use your plunger to clear challenging clogs.

3. Faucet

Faucet leaks appear to be the most innocent of all the common domestic plumbing leaks. Not only are persistent faucet leaks annoying because of the noise, but they can also result in higher water costs over time.

If necessary, to avoid leaky faucets, replace the washer at the end of the spindle and the O-ring around the stem.

During faucet shut-off, the washer, in particular, is subjected to twisting and pressure. If you wait too long to replace it, the metal end of the stem will scrape on the valve seat, causing it to become damaged to the point where even a new washer won’t produce a water-tight seal.

Any dripping is your first hint of looking at the rubber washer, which is a simple and affordable element to replace. Don’t allow things to get to the point where you have to replace your faucet.

4. Dishwasher and Refrigerator

Kitchen appliances are prone to leaks, yet these issues go unseen all too often under cupboards and kitchen countertops. Look for discoloration on your flooring or walls as a symptom of slow-acting problems, and check behind and underneath your appliances regularly. Loose connections, as you might guess, are frequently to blame. Even if you overlook the issues mentioned above, tighten fittings regularly.

There are various potential leak sources with dishwashers in particular. It’s possible that the rubber gasket that seals your tub and door is worn, that a connection is loose, that the tub is ancient and partially eroded, and so on. Schedule plumbing repair with Candu Plumbing if you need help replacing or fixing a leaky dishwasher.

5. Water Heater

With some water heaters holding up to 80 gallons of water, there’s a severe risk of water damage if the device leaks or erodes to the point of flooding the house.

A little upkeep can go a long way. Ensure your shut-off and drain valves work correctly and cleanse your water at least once a year to remove any accumulated sediment. This will benefit you in various ways, including water conservation, extending the water heater’s life, and maintaining total volume, among others.

Make Sure to Protect Your Appliances and Property from Leaks!

There you have the things you need to know about common household leaks. If any of this happens in your home, call reliable plumbers in San Fernando right away despite regular maintenance.

Candu Plumbing is your water guru. We have the expertise, years of experience, and licenses to handle everything from 24-hour emergency plumbing to leak detection and remodel projects. If you require the expertise of our plumbers in San Fernando Valley, contact us immediately at 855-522-2638.