One of the most common plumbing issues is leaks in the pipes. Many people tend to consider leaks to be exclusively the domain of holes in pipes and broken connections spraying massive gouts of water, but this is not always the case. In fact, most leaks are difficult to detect as they are small, which can be just as serious a problem. When a leak occurs out of sight, it can quickly begin to cause damage in your home. Drywall and plaster can immediately be ruined, and your wood may start to become warped. Additionally, the damp conditions will encourage the growth of mold and mildew.
The Impact of Loose Connections:
There are a number of reasons that a leak may develop in your plumbing system. While leaks due to aging pipes, corrosion or increased water pressure can occur, one of the most common causes is a loose connection. If you have poor connections between pipes and fixtures, there is a good chance that a leak will develop at some point. Poor connections can result from poor initial installation or because they have suffered aging damage. Over time your connections can loosen and begin to leak. These connections will need to be secured and the underlying issue resolved before the leak can grow worse. If you are still not convinced that your loose connection is a problem, bear in mind that even a leak is losing one drop of water a second can waste as much as 3,000 gallons of water each year.
Correcting the Problem:
While a loose connection may seem like there would be a quick and easy fix, this is not usually the case. You can’t simply get out a wrench and give the pipe a few twists as the chances are you won’t be able to access many of the pipes yourself. Even if you can access the damaged pipe, it is unlikely that you will be able to use standard wrenches to fix the problem without causing additional damage.
Tampering by amateurs is actually one of the primary causes of leaks from a loose connection. If proper care is not taken, there is a risk of damage to the rubber seal between the fittings. This will not only mean that you don’t resolve the leak issue, but it makes it more difficult for a plumber to make the necessary repairs.
A professional, experienced plumber has the skills and expertise to ensure that the correct tools and techniques are used to repair any loose connections in your plumbing system. Additionally, the technician can assess your system to determine if there are any leaks in your system.
Just like any source of leaks, loose connections can be a major problem that requires immediate attention. If you suspect that you have a loose connection, it could be that there is a leak occurring out of sight somewhere in your home. So, if you want to avoid water damage and increased water bills, it is worth calling in a
professional to check your loose connections.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solutions.
