4 Common Kinds of Water Leaks in Your Home

Water is an important resource in your home. You need water to do all household cleaning chores. However, water needs to flow in your home in a predetermined manner. If you find water on the floor or dripping down the walls, then there is a leak.



See four common kinds of water leaks in your home, along with some of their possible causes.

1. Pipe Leaks

Leaking pipes are one of the main causes of water leaks in a home. Multiple factors such as cracks freezing and high water pressure can lead to leaking pipes. 

When the temperature falls in winter, the pipes will contract or freeze. Consequently, the pipes can crack and start to leak water. The solution may be to insulate the pipes or attach heating devices to your piping system.

Similarly, damaged seals can cause the pipes to start leaking. Other causes of a leaking pipe include poor installation and low-quality pipes. Therefore, you need to contact a professional plumber to repair the cracks or install new pipes properly.

2. Washing Machine Water Supply Leak

The presence of water puddles on the floor near the washing machine indicates leakage. A problem in the washing machine's water supply could be the cause. If you don't solve this problem quickly, there will be property damage and increased water bills.

To find the source of the leakage, you need to inspect the entire washing machine water supply line. Start with the hoses and determine if they have any cracks. You might then repair the cracks, but getting a new hose may be a better option.

If there are no cracks on the hose, perhaps the problem is a loose hose connection to the washing machine. The continuous motion of the washing machine parts may lead to this loose connection. Fortunately, simply tightening the hose can fix this problem.

3. Air Conditioner Condensation Leak

A faulty air conditioner unit can cause water leakages. In this case, you will notice water droplets on the top and sides of the unit. This problem can lead to puddles on your floor and require expensive repairs.

Many factors may be behind the leaking HVAC unit, but one is a clogged drain line. This issue arises when there are solid elements in the moisture in your AC unit. Continuous accumulation of the solid elements can block the drain line. Once water cannot flow along the drain line, the water will start spilling out of the AC unit.

4. Water Heater Leak

A couple of water heater issues can cause water leakages. At the top of the list are corrosion and rust. The corrosion develops when you fail to do regular water heater maintenance. 

As a result, corrosive materials accumulate on the metal elements inside the heater. For instance, the steel lining and the anode rod can rust over time. The corrosion can cause the water heater to rupture and leak water.

Accumulation of deposits in the water heater is another cause of water leakages. Usually, the deposits are mineral elements in the water that harden due to temperature increases. These deposits will settle inside the heater and cause abnormal temperature increases. As a result, parts of the heater will melt and allow water to seep through. 

Similarly, excessive water pressure inside the heater can cause the unit to rupture. Water will then escape from the water heater and leak into your house.

Water leaks can damage your property and cause injuries. Also, leakage can increase your water bills. Therefore, you should work with a professional plumbing company such as Art Douglas Plumbing Inc. We will identify the cause of the leakage and repair it. Contact us to learn how we can help you.