3 Common Water Leaks In Homes And How You Can Troubleshoot

The sound of a leaking faucet, the frustration that comes with a clogged toilet or that irritating water found near your washing machine can create stress for any home owner. In fact, it is estimated that most water leaks in homes can cost thousands of dollars in damage to the home – not to mention the additional cost of wasted water. It’s due to these facts that many home owners in the greater Phoenix area pull their hair out trying to find realistic tips on how to troubleshoot common water leaks.

Tips About The Most Most Common Home Water Leaks

Leaking Water From Washing Machines

Have you ever put in a load of laundry only to discover water underneath the washing machine? Although many home owners might believe that it’s common for a washing machine to have some leaks, the facts tell a different story. In fact, any leaks coming from a washing machine can lead to significant floor damage and even cause potential fire danger or electrocution when water and electrical components mingle.

Here are a few things you can do to fix a leak once you’ve notice one inside your laundry room:

• Replace your factory rubber or plastic hoses with reinforced steel-braided hoses. Hoses attached to washing machines are always pressurized and people often assume that they’ll never break. On the contrary, it’s recommended to replace your water hoses every five years – regardless of how they look.
• Tighten hose connections periodically. When the washing machine is in operation it is quite common for bolts and nuts to come loose. This tends to cause many small leaks as the water attachments become loose.

Leaking And Clogged Toilets

Although newer homes don’t tend to suffer toilet-related water leaks, one problem that constantly happens, regardless of the age of the home is a constant loss of water. This is often caused by a faulty supply line or fill valve located in the tank of the toilet. This problem can also lead to toilets becoming clogged easier than usual, which as we all know can lead to significant floor damage inside any bathroom.

Here are a few things you can do if you notice a leaking toilet or water running in a bathroom frequently:

• If you experience a clogged toilet the first thing you should do is shut off the water supply behind the toilet. This will stop the water from overflowing onto your bathroom floor.
• If turning off the water seems too difficult, simply lift off the toilet lid and pull up the float valve. This will shut off the water supply and stop water from overflowing.
• If you notice water running frequently inside your bathroom, lift the toilet tank top and inspect the chain attached to the rubber flap located on the bottom of your tank. If the chain is kinked, it can cause the valve to lift slightly, causing water to drain into the toilet bowl and not shut off.

Leaks In Sinks, Showers & Bathtubs

Among the leading causes of bathroom remodeling projects is damage that is done by leaks caused by showers, bathtubs and sinks. And more often than not, many of these leaks are caused by corroded plumbing fixtures located behind the walls or even under the sinks that simply wear out, burst or start to slowly leak water. Damaged wall caulk, grout and other sealants located around bathroom walls, showers and bathtubs also can cause many water leaks.

Here are a few things you can do to avoid these water leaking conditions:

• Inspect the calking and grout around your sinks, bathtubs and showers every six-months. If you notice cracking, don’t delay – either try to repair this damage or contact a professional to make repairs.
• Looks for soft areas located on walls or stains. This will be an early warning sign to leaking pipes located behind a wall. And early detection could save you considerable money if the pipe bursts.

• Fix a leaking faucet as soon as possible.

Water leaks found in any home can lead to significant costs if not fixed or repaired quickly. Follow these above quick tips for diagnosing and repairing common water leaks in homes and you’ll possibly save thousands of dollars on significant repairs.