Leaking Pipes

Common Causes of Leaking Pipes

Leaking pipes can develop due to a variety of causes. Some of the most common include:

• Corrosion – Over time, metal pipes can corrode due to chemical reactions with water and oxygen. This deterioration can lead to small pinhole leaks, particularly in older homes with galvanized steel or iron pipes.
• High Water Pressure – Excessive water pressure can strain pipes, causing them to crack or burst.
• Degraded Seals – The rubber seals used to connect pipes to fixtures can wear out over time, leading to leaks at the joints. Visible moisture around these connections is a sign that your seals may be degraded.
• Clogged Pipes – Blockages from debris, grease or hair can increase pressure inside pipes, causing leaks. These clogs may also contain corrosive substances that accelerate damage to the pipe material.
• Temperature Changes – Significant fluctuations in temperature can cause pipes to expand and contract, resulting in cracks or leaks.
• Damaged Joints and Fittings – Poorly sealed or corroded joints are common leak points. Over time, these connections can wear out or become damaged due to shifting foundations or external pressures.
• Tree Roots – Roots from nearby trees can grow into underground pipes, causing cracks or breaks that allow water to escape into the surrounding soil.
• Foundation Shifts – Ground movement from natural settling, flooding or earthquakes can stress pipes and cause leaks.

Potential Issues That Occur When Leaking Pipes Aren’t Addressed

When leaking pipes are left unaddressed, they can cause extensive and costly damage to your home or business. This damage can occur regardless of the size of the leak. Over time, the pervasive water damage you’ll experience can impact your property in a variety of ways, including:

• Structural damage
• Health risks
• Fire and electrocution risks
• Water contamination
• Pest infestation
• Unexpected financial expenses

Structural Damage

Water from a leaking pipe can soak into many of the materials used in your home or business, causing severe structural problems:

• Wooden structural supports and studs can rot, compromising the building’s integrity
• Drywall can swell, soften and crumble
• Ceiling tiles can become saturated and fall
• Flooring can rot, swell, buckle and warp
• Walls and ceilings can sag and become discolored

Health Risks

The moisture from an unaddressed leaking pipe can create optimal conditions for mold growth. Mold can spread rapidly throughout your property within a matter of days, causing a variety of serious health issues for anyone who has allergies, a compromised immune system or a history or respiratory conditions. It’s common for individuals exposed to mold on a daily basis to experience:

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Red eyes
• Skin irritation
• Respiratory infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia
• Worsening of asthma symptoms
• Headaches
• Chronic fatigue

Fire and Electrocution Risks

Leaking pipes often occur behind walls, and it’s common for the water released in these leaks to travel to exposed wires in the electrical outlets nearby, causing short circuits and sparks. If these leaks are left unaddressed for an extended period of time, it may eventually lead to electrocution when an appliance is plugged into the outlet exposed to water. But even greater is the fire risk caused when water from a leaking pipe interacts with the wires in your electrical system. In fact, water damage is a common cause of electrical fires.

Water Contamination

Leaking pipes can allow contaminants from the environment to enter the damaged region of the pipe, polluting your water supply. When dust, paint, pesticides, waste, oil or other common contaminants get into pipes delivering potable water, it can cause serious health issues for anyone drinking the water.

Pest Infestation

Pests enter your property for three reasons – to find food, water or shelter. That’s why pests often congregate around leaky pipes. It’s common for a leak to attract rats, ants, termites, cockroaches, and other pests looking for a steady water source. If your leak results in a pool of stagnant water, there’s also a chance mosquitos will lay eggs there. Not only will these pests become a serious nuisance, but they can also contaminate your food and water supply.

Unexpected Financial Expenses

A small pipe leak might seem like a minor issue, but it can cost you a lot of money if it’s not addressed promptly:

• A leaking pipe that releases three drops of water per hour will waste 104 gallons of water over the course of a year, which can significantly increase your monthly water bills
• Repairs to walls, floors, ceilings and any other structural damage that occurs can be very expensive
• If you develop a pest infestation, you’ll need to pay a pest control company to get rid of the problem
• Damage to your electrical system can be costly to repair
• If a fire develops, you may experience catastrophic damage to your building that requires extensive fire damage restoration services
• If you’re a business owner and this water damage causes you to close down for an extended period of time while repairs are made, it can be devastating to your bottom line

What Are the Signs of a Slow Leak in My Pipes?

If you have a slow leak in one of your pipes, it can often take a long time before the damage is severe enough for you to detect the issue. This is especially true when your leaking pipe is hidden from view. By this point, the water damage is likely to have caused serious health and safety issues at your property. To avoid this, it’s important to be aware of the common signs associated with a leaking pipe. This way you can fix the problem before significant water damage develops.

Common signs of a slow pipe leak include:

• Increased Water Bills – A sudden spike in your water bill without a corresponding increase in usage is often a sign that you have a leaking pipe.
• Visible Water Damage – Over time, slow pipe leaks will often result in signs of water damage around your home, such as discoloration on walls and ceilings, bubbling paint or warped wallpaper, and pooling water underneath sinks.
• Reduced Water Pressure – A noticeable drop in water pressure can often be a sign that you have a leaking pipe.
• Mold and Mildew Growth – Dampness caused by a leaking pipe can create optimal conditions for mold to grow.
• Unusual Sounds – Sounds of dripping or running water when no fixtures are in use may be a sign you have a leaking pipe.

What to Do if You Have a Leaking Pipe

Due to the devastating consequences associated with water damage, it’s critical to have a leaking pipe fixed by a professional plumber. If you notice any signs of water damage when you detect the leak, call a water damage restoration company at once to prevent additional damage from developing.

While you’re waiting for the plumber to arrive and fix your pipe, you should shut off the water supply to prevent additional water from flowing out of the leaking pipe. Next, open any faucets connected to the leaking pipe to drain any remaining water. This helps reduce pressure and allows for easier repairs. You should also place a bucket or container under the leak to catch any dripping water. This will help minimize damage to your walls and floors.

Burke’s Damage Restoration Experts Can Help with Leaking Pipe Cleanup in Post Falls and the surrounding areas

If you’ve developed water damage from a leaking pipe, it’s critical to work with a professional water damage restoration company who can ensure all repairs are performed correctly and your property is returned to its original condition. At Burke’s Damage Restoration Experts, we have you covered.

We’ve been the leading water damage restoration company in Post Falls and the surrounding areas since 2012, and our team has extensive experience handling jobs involving leaking pipe cleanup. We offer 24/7 emergency response services, and our certified technicians will arrive at your home or business, day or night, shortly after receiving your call. We can handle every aspect of the water damage restoration process from initial assessment through all repairs, ensuring a seamless process that eliminates all health and safety issues.

We also coordinate with your insurance company on your behalf to facilitate a smoother claims process. Our team regularly works with insurance companies, and we know how to properly document all the damage to your home or business. This expertise will ensure you receive the maximum benefits to which you’re entitled.