Among the numerous things that homeowners constantly worry about are plumbing issues. Plumbing is a crucial component of each residence. When there are serious malfunctions, things can go badly wrong. A plumbing flood disaster is every homeowner’s worst nightmare. Water damage can quickly ensue, causing losses and significant repair costs. During such flooding disasters, you can contact some Bayside plumbers to help address such issues.
Causes of Plumbing Flood Leaks
There are numerous causes of plumbing issues that can lead to water damage and flooding in a house. An often ignored factor that can lead to plumbing problems involves the terrain. For example, in Sydney, the terrain consists of sedimentary rocks with several kilometers of thickness. This means that any construction has to account for such features. Plumbing is one such aspect of construction. Plumbing involves a lot of underground digging, meaning subterranean soil structure is a crucial factor to consider. Poorly-graded soil in such a place can set a house up for future plumbing issues like leaks and flooding.
Pinhole leaks in plumbing structures are also responsible for issues that can lead to a plumbing flood disaster. A common cause of these leaks is the quality of water flowing through such pipes. Hard water– one with a very high mineral content– is largely responsible for such leaks.
In addition to terrain issues and pinhole leaks, other common causes of plumbing issues include:
i)Damaged pipe joints
ii) Consistently high water pressures
iii) Spray tree roots
iv) Corrosion
v) Clogged lines
Signs of Plumbing Problems
Usually, plumbing problems don’t happen all of a sudden. Unless it’s an accident that suddenly damages a pipe or something similar, plumbing problems take days or even weeks to develop. Sometimes, the indicators of plumbing problems are so subtle that many homeowners miss them. That’s why it’s advisable to have plumbing maintenance services check out your house at least once or twice a year. This helps to identify many plumbing issues that ultimately lead to flooding and water damage.
Below are some signs that indicate the presence of plumbing issues.
i) Dripping faucets: While most people consider a dripping faucet as nothing more than a mere annoyance, it could be the first indicator of a serious plumbing problem. A leaking faucet could mean there’s an issue with the valves that control water flow through them. When this happens, it becomes prudent to check the whole system to ensure there are no other issues.
ii) Drain problems: A malfunctioning drain is also an indicator of plumbing issues. This could mean it is clogged with food particles or debris. Even drains that empty slower than expected are also a sign of plumbing problems that need to be addressed by a professional.
iii) A constantly running toilet: If your toilet can’t stop running even when not in use, this could indicate a malfunction somewhere in its water system. This could be the cause of the continual water flow.
iv) Unexplained puddles on the floor: Unless you had rain recently, you shouldn’t be having puddles of water in unexpected places. For example, a puddle of water in your backyard could mean a collapsed sewer pipe, an issue that requires contacting a plumber immediately.
Of course, numerous other signs could also mean that your plumbing system isn’t working as it should.
Preventing Flood Disasters in Your Home
Identifying plumbing issues quickly enough and addressing them is an effective way of ensuring that you don’t experience plumbing flood disasters. However, it may already be too late by the time you identify some plumbing issues. An ideal strategy is to prevent Plumbing issues from occurring. This means being proactive and doing certain things to minimize the chances of developing plumbing issues.
Follow these tips to prevent plumbing issues.
1)Installing Drain Screens
Clogged drains are a huge problem for many Sydney homeowners. A common cause of this problem is hair. Hair plus soap tend to accumulate in shower and bathtub drains, causing a blockage. A simple solution is installing drain screens. These screens help to trap tiny particles and hair thereby preventing them from clogging your drain.
2) Being Prudent With What You Flush Down the Toilet
A common problem in many homes is that people flush non-dissolvable substances down the toilet. This can lead to their accumulation and eventually cause blockage and plumbing damage. Avoid dumping things like cigarette butts and chewing gum into the toilet bowl to avoid unnecessary blockage that can lead to burst sewers and huge leaks.
3) Maintenance of Your Plumbing System
It’s always a good idea to have a professional plumber carry out periodic maintenance checks on your home’s plumbing system. This helps to identify any dormant issues that can blow up later on and cause a plumbing emergency. Vigilance is also key. Look out for any signs that could indicate a plumbing problem. Things like molds or a funky smell from certain corners of a room could mean there’s a leak somewhere that’s yet to be detected.
Many of these plumbing issues affect homeowners in Sydney. Scheduling a plumbing maintenance check every few months can help avoid disastrous plumbing issues that can prove to be very costly.