Leaks are a part of owning a home.  Pipes break or get cracks and drip.  In Atlanta, we don’t see that much cold weather, but it does happen occasionally.  Colder weather is notorious for broken or burst pipes due to freezing.  Most often you will see them in the laundry room, bathrooms, and the kitchen.  There are some simple, cost effective ways to Preventing Costly Leaks.

Hiring the right contractor/plumber is really important.  When you notice something wrong with a water heater, toilet, etc., having the right contractor/pumber to fix it is essential.

Preventing Costly Leaks

• Water heater – Check for rusty spots or a rusty line going down the water heater.  If there is rust spots, good chance you have a leak.  Look for wet spots on the floor around the water heater.  Depending on who you talk to, a water heaters life is about 10-14 years.
• Toilets – If you see water leaking at the base that could be the seal.  The seal is an easy fix.  Just lift the toilet off, get a new ring and replace, and reattach toilet.  Here is a video on toilet ring replacement.  Try to avoid hanging any deodorants in the toilet. They could drop and get stuck in the pipes which could cause a leak, backup, or corrode the pipes.
• Dishwasher – Periodically check the water supply line under the kitchen sink to make sure it is connected.  Check the base of the dishwasher for leaks.  If you have a leak it will be a small puddle on the floor.  Also, always rinse off your plates and utensils.  The more more food residue or large chunks of food, that are on the dishes, the better chance for a clog to happen. The drain line is only so big.
• Washing machine – Check the hose connections to the hot and cold water lines.  Make sure they are connected and there is no signs of wetness.  Look for signs of cracking, fraying, or bulging in the hose.  If you see that replace the hose.
• Sinks – There are a couple of places you will see leaks.  One would be around the sink.  Over time the sealant needs to be replaced.  This will prevent water from getting under the sink and into the cabinet.  Make sure the the connections to the sink are tight and there is no wetness.  Also, be aware of any slow draining.  If so, there could be a slight clog that will need to be removed.
• Refrigerator – If you have a refrigerator that has an ice/water line, make sure it is connected and that there are no leaks in the line.  I had this happen.  There was a small puncture in the hose behind the refrigerator and it was slow but overtime it caused damage to my floor.  Check the line periodically.
• Bathtub – check the values (handles) to make sure they are tight.  Also, keep the drain free of hair.  Hair is a major clog in drains.  You will need to periodically go in and remove the hair.

Preventing Costly Leaks is simple and not time consuming.  You can never stop a pipe from leaking, clogging, or bursting.  If you take preventative measures and routinely check the hoses and connections, it will reduce the amount of leaks you will have.

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