Your water line provides your home with continuous, fresh, clean water, which makes any water line challenge a potentially significant problem. Water line leaks could even cause structural damage to your home after causing your water bills to skyrocket – a double blow on the cost front you’ll want to avoid.
Scheduling a water line leak repair should be the first thing that comes to mind if you notice a problem. Below, Triple A AC, Heating & Plumbing discusses the common causes of water line leaks and how the team goes about fixing them.
Feel free to contact us for premier water line repair in Flower Mound, TX.
What Causes Water Line Leaks in Flower Mound, TX?
Before you fix a leak, you need to know why there is one in the first place. Below are some of the most common causes of water line leak repair issues we find on the job in Flower Mound, Texas.
Wear and Tear
Typical water lines last about 50 to 70 years before age and general wear and tear take their toll. For instance, you’ll see steel lines start to corrode and form holes, most often near pipe joints.
Regular maintenance can reduce the environmental toll and extend the water line lifespan, but consider an inspection if your water main is already around 40 to 45 years old. Even if your old water line is in fairly decent condition, replacing it now could save you money on a more expensive water line leak repair in the near future.
Ground Freezing
Freezing also causes water line leaks. The ground contracts when it freezes and expands as it melts. Rapid freezing and melting can put immense pressure on water lines, causing kinks, bends, and holes to form.
The constant freeze-melt cycle can also cause pipe corrosion faster than usual, while water might freeze. Pipe insulation can prevent freezing in water lines.
Improper Installation
Sometimes, improper installation is the culprit behind water line leaks. If the soil is too compacted or the line is not buried deep enough, problems arise. At that point, the only real solution is to dig up the line and rebury it – correctly this time.
That is why you should always work with a reputable plumbing company from the start. Top-rated plumbers like Triple A AC, Heating & Plumbing use techniques like trenchless repair and hydro jetting to install pipes without disturbing your yard.
Tree Root Infiltration
If you have large trees in your yard, then their roots can potentially grow into water lines, creating blockages and leaks. Tree roots grow slowly, but they’re strong. Given enough time, roots may even penetrate tough metal piping.
If the damage is small enough, you can cut away the roots and fix the water main. However, more severe damage will require substantial water line leak repair or replacement. For the sake of your property’s plumbing, think twice about trees that have aggressive and extensive root systems.
Pests
Common ground pests, such as gophers, chipmunks, and moles, dig tunnels and occasionally come into contact with the lines. Pest tunneling activity also causes the soils to shift, which puts stress on any buried utility lines or directly damages water lines.
Gophers are known to chew on and destroy plastic water lines and sprinkler systems in Flower Mound, Texas. If you suspect a water line issue, it’s best to check it out immediately.
Identifying a Water Line Leak
Leak detection with the naked eye is hard. Try these plumber’s tips instead:
- Water meter. The easiest way to identify leaks is to look at your water meter. Is your water meter showing flow even if all your water faucets are off?
- Low water pressure. Inadequate water pressure signals a leak in a water line or your water main. It won’t come right without professional plumbing repairs.
- Hissing sound in pipes. A hissing sound coming from your property’s pipes could mean a hole in the water lines or pipes where air is escaping.
- Bad smells. Water line leaks can cause mold and algae to grow, both of which create a musty, foul odor behind your walls or in your yard.
- Green patches. A damaged water line in your yard can cause unnaturally green patches of grass or puddles of standing water.
Your Trusted HVAC & Plumbing Professional in Flower Mound, Texas
Believing myths about air conditioning and plumbing can set you back as a homeowner, and so can ignoring water line leak repair needs. Rely on an expert – contact Triple A AC, Heating & Plumbing online or call today to schedule service in Flower Mound, Texas!