5 Leaks You Can Prevent in Your Home

Leaks can be a huge problem if you’re not careful. Besides raising your bill, leaks can lead to further damage if you’re not careful. Thankfully, many leaks can be prevented! Here’s how to tackle a few offenders and ensure your plumbing is working smoothly.

1. Washing Machines

Washing machines, because they use so much water, tend to be the machine most prone to leaking. To prevent a leaky washing machine, replace the hoses every five years, and make sure the connections are checked every year or so. Also, shut off the water if you’re going to be away for a while. If your washing machine does leak, make sure you have a nearby drain handy.

2. Air Conditioning Systems

The moisture in your air conditioning should be removed by a drain pipe. However, if the AC unit is in the attic, and you see moisture on your ceiling, it’s a sign that your AC could be leaking. The best way to prevent this is to have your air conditioner checked every year by a professional.

3. Drains

If your sewer drain is leaking, it can cause serious problems, such as sanitary issues. Always make sure you have backflow preventers installed on all sewer drains by a professional plumber.

Also, do not pour grease down your drains, as it can harden and clog your pipes.

Another way to prevent damage is to make sure trees on your property are planted far away from your pipes. Otherwise, their roots could penetrate the pipes and causing serious damage.

4. Toilets

Toilets can cause your supply line to leak, or they can overflow. In order to prevent leaks in your supply line, check it yearly, making sure your tank doesn’t need any adjustments. In order to prevent overflow damage from a clog in the supply line, open your toilet’s tank lid, close the flapper, lift the ball, and shut off the supply line. Afterwards, get a pro to take a look.

5. Dishwashers and Refrigerators

Since the pipes connected to dishwashers and refrigerators are located under and behind the appliances, they can go unnoticed and unchecked for years. Make sure you check under and behind these appliances every so often to make sure everything is fine. When you clean behind your fridge, check the connections to ensure they’re secure. Another way to tell if there is a potential leak is to look for any signs of discoloration under your appliances.

Leaks are not fun to deal with and, if left unattended, can cause bigger problems. If you do encounter a leak, consult a plumber to come and fix it as soon as possible. Leak prevention is possible! Regularly check your plumbing, and don’t flush items down the toilet or drain that should go in the trash.

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