If you have a leaky pipe in your bathroom, it can be like having a mischievous, water-loving gremlin living in your walls. You can’t live with it as a wide range of health hazards start going off, along with the obvious damage to your property.
Top 10 Reasons For A Leaky Bathroom Pipe
Here are the top 10 reasons for a leaky pipe:
1. Age of your pipe
Over time, pipes easily deteriorate because of corrosion and general wear and tear. This can result in cracks and leaks in your bathroom pipes.
2. Poor installation
Incorrect installation can cause pipes to leak. It could be due to faulty fittings, improper joining methods, or a lack of support for the lines.
3. Corrosion
Exposure to water, chemicals, and other substances leads to the erosion of pipes; they corrode, and pieces of their body chip away, leading to leaks.
4. Freeze-thaw cycles
Freezing and consequent thawing is a continuous cycle. Water in pipes can freeze and expand during winter, putting pressure on the pipes and causing them to crack and leak.
5. Tree Root Growth
Tree roots can grow into your pipes with the mercy of water and cause damage, leading to leaks. Usually, this issue is particularly seen in older pipes made of materials like clay or cast iron.
6. Ground movement
Soil movement and shifting exert extra stress on your pipes. More so in areas with heavy clay soils or frequent earthquakes.
7. Water pressure
High water pressure may seem like something you would want for better flow, but it can cause pipes to burst and leak. A faulty pressure regulator or a serious flow problem with the main water supply can lead to this.
8. Chemical reactions
You can’t steer clear that chemicals can react with pipes. Their presence causes them to corrode and leak. This could be due to a problem with the water supply or the use of harsh chemicals in the home.
9. Physical damage
Physical damage to pipes during construction work, digging, or a vehicular accident is something that can make your pipe leak.
10. Manufacturing defects
Sometimes, manufacturers accidentally miss pip defects that cause this issue when you install them at home.
How can we fix leaky pipes?
There are several methods to go for to fix leaky pipes:
It is not wise to start fixing your leaky pipe without professional help. They have the necessary tools and expertise to deal with any unforeseen situation that may arise while doing the job.
Nonetheless, here are 4 types of approaches to deal with this matter at hand.
- Repair the damaged section: If the leak is confined to a small section of the pipe, cut the damaged area out and replace it with a new piece of piping. Usually, this method is fit for PVC pipes.
- Use epoxy putty: For small leaks in copper or steel pipes, epoxy putty is the way to go. First, clean the leak area, then apply the putty and let it cure.
- Apply a pipe clamp: The clamp has two halves that strap around the pipe and seal the leak with a rubber gasket.
- Pipe Re-routing: In case of severe leaks or the location is hard to reach, re-route the pipe entirely.
Final Words
It is best to hire a professional plumber to handle your plumbing repair jobs. They have the expertise and tools to diagnose the issue and repair the leak correctly. Get in touch with professionals from Lucas Craftsmanship to know more about it.