Preventing Your Pipes From Causing Water Damage Restoration Issues
Here in New Orleans, we are not strangers to the risks of water damage from floods. Oftentimes when we think of water damage, we think of large disasters, knee deep water in our homes, or major flooding from heavy storms. While these are all very relevant, there is another form of water damage that commonly plagues our homes – leaky pipes. Now, this may not seem like a problem when compared to what was listed above, but leaky pipes should not be overlooked. Annoying pipe leaks can actually lead to serious structural damage when present for extended amounts of time. While there is not a lot we can do when it comes to flooding from natural disasters, there are some things we can do to prevent our pipes from causing water damage in our homes. Here are just a few
Water Damage Restoration In New Orleans
Check the Water Pressure Going Through Your Pipes
Excess water pressure puts a lot of stress on pipes. Pipes are not designed to have any give, so they do not respond well to increases in water pressure. If the water pressure in your plumbing system exceeds 60 psi for extended amounts of time, pipes can spring leaks or burst. If you are unsure what the water pressure going into your home is, you can install a water pressure gauge that will give you a reading of the water pressure. Residential water pressure should never exceed 80 psi. If you have high water pressure in your home, you should have a water pressure-reducing valve installed.
Install a Water Softener
Hard water has high mineral content, and mineral buildup inside of pipes will cause corrosion. Installing a water softener can help prevent damage to your pipes by removing excess minerals from the water. This will prevent the buildup of minerals, and help extend the life and structural integrity of pipes. Water softeners create an ion exchange between positively charged calcium and magnesium in the water and negative charged resin beads located in the softener. A salt tank is used to make brine that removes the collected minerals from the resin beads, and flushes them out. Without so much buildup inside, water will be able to flow freely and easily through pipes, reducing the pressure on them and slowing down the corrosion process.
Check Pipe Connections and Joints Regularly
Pipe connections are prone to leaks if they are not connected tightly and sealed properly. To adequately seal connections and joints, there should be tight fittings, and the use of both tape and pipe joint compound should be utilized. Joints on chrome trap assemblies rely on rubber slip joint washers to provide a seal, but often leak. You should consider having new slip joint washers put in every few years to prevent leaks from aging. Check fittings regularly and make sure they are tight, and properly seal joints and reinforce those sealing periodically to prevent pipes from leaking.
Whether your home has sustained water damage and restoration costs from flooding or leaky pipes, or any other source for that matter, United Fire & Water is here for you. We offer water damage restoration no matter the source or cause, and are ready to help get your home back to normal.
