Pipe Leakages - What To Do?

What to do if your Pipes Start Leaking

Most water pipes are manufactured from copper, which you would think is quite hard wearing and durable. However, water pipes are still prone to leaks, which can be confusing to understand. People seem to think just because water pipes are made form metal, that leaks shouldn't happen, but what they don’t realise is that internal corrosion and high water pressure can start to cause leaks within even a couple of years of installation.

Corrosion is the gradual destruction of a surface by chemical reaction, in this case the acidity of the water, which is more common in older pipes. Acidic water can cause corrosion fairly quickly, especially if it is highly acidic, however alkaline water can also cause problems with your pipes as they can cause a lime scale build up. Whilst lime scale build up can actually decrease your chance of a leak by adding an internal coating, it can also reduce your water pressure.

Another cause of burst pipes however is the water pressure. The diameter of pipes should be installed as a match to the pressure of the water being fed into them. If the diameter of the pipe is too small, the pressure will increase which can cause excess strain to the piping. If this increases over a period of time eventually this strain will simply become too much for most pipes to handle and cracks will start to appear as a result. The higher the water pressure, the wider the pipe should be. In the middle of winter, pipes can also freeze, which can also cause leaks or bursts as the water pressure can build up to extreme levels, which is why we see more burst pipes when the weather is at its coldest. It is important to try your best to prevent your pipes from freezing in the winter to try and avoid this.

These are some of the most common causes of leaking or burst pipes. However you may also find if you have recently had plumbing work done, that you see leaks appear. This however, is usually down to poor quality maintenance or workmanship and you should call the plumber out and ask them to take a look urgently. If you can prove it, or they agree that the damage is caused by their work, you should ensure this is fixed as soon as possible at no extra charge to you.

If a plumbing emergency arises, such as a water leak or burst pipe then you need to try and get it fixed as soon as possible. Once you have a plumber contacted and you are awaiting their arrival, then there are a few things you can do to make sure the plumber is able to fix your problem quickly, as time will be of the essence if there is leaking water. This can also save you money, because if the plumber is able to get to the problem and fix it quicker, then there could possibly be lower labour costs, as most are calculated by the hour. Doing anything to speed things up will only aid the situation so you should prepare for your plumbers arrival by following the advice below.

Firstly, find your stopcock. The stopcock is the valve, which controls the water flow to your house. More often than not, the stopcock will be below your kitchen sink and will look like an outside tap. Turning the valve clockwise will stop the flow of water to your house, and turning anti-clockwise will open it. You will usually be able to hear if water starts flowing back through. One of the first things a plumber will need to know, as for most plumbing work, the water needs to be off, is where your stopcock is. If you can lead him to it ASAP you can save valuable time.

Secondly, make sure you know where your hot winter tank, heating controls and boiler are. Boilers in general will be located in airing cupboards, kitchens or bathroom, but will occasionally have their own cupboard.

Thirdly, make sure you know where your manhole is. If there is a blockage that is blocking your drains and causing a drop in water pressure, the plumber will need to know where the manhole is to have a look. Normally the manhole is outside your property either to the front or back with a manhole cover. Checking it’s your manhole is easy. Simply lift the cover and get someone inside your house to flush the chain, and if you see running water, then you can be assured that it is your manhole.