Water Damage From Broken Water Pipes

How Can I Prevent Water Damage & Make My Water Pipes Longer?

Functioning water pipes are an essential element of any home. When these pipes wear out or break, the consequences can be costly water damage cleanup. As a result, it’s worth doing all you can to extend the lifespan of your pipes for as long as possible. To help you accomplish this, here are five common mistakes that tend to shorten the lifespan of water pipes according to our water damage restoration experts at Restoration 1 of McDonough.

Keep Your Water Pressure At The Right Level

There is a delicate balance for the level of water pressure you need for your home. Too low and you’ll be constantly frustrated with how long it takes to perform simple tasks with your faucets. Too high, however, and the pressure can actually damage your pipes. 

Clean Your Drains Regularly

The more work your pipes have to do to transport water, the more pressure and potential damage your pipes experience. Gunk and other blockages are the main culprits for increased pressure on pipe systems. This problem can easily be avoided by simply cleaning out your drains on a regular basis. These cleanings should be done on at least a yearly basis and they will go a long way toward maintaining the longevity of your pipes. 

Don’t Flush Things Down Your Drain That Don’t Belong There

Toilets are not meant to be used as a trash can. Don’t flush things that have no business being flushed. That includes wet wipes–no matter what the label says. When you flush trash, wrappers, or similar items down the toilet, parts of these things break off in your pipes. Over time, those broken off pieces collect other debris and form clogs. These clogs lead to chokepoints. Chokepoints create places where too much pressure builds up. When too much pressure builds up, it creates leaks, bursts, or back-ups. Long story short: flushing non-flushable materials will hurt your pipes and lower their effective lifespan. Watch what you flush to preserve your pipes.

Don’t Leave Leaks Unattended

Leaks are often a symptom of a larger problem. Thus, if you notice what seems to be a tiny leak there is a good choice that it is just an indication of a much larger problem. For instance, a small leak may be indicative of a cracked pipe that is on the brink of bursting.

Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners

Chemical drain cleaners seem great at first, but they can actually have detrimental effects on your pipes over time. It’s far better to use a drain snake which will get rid of clogs but not wear away at your pipes in the process. 

As you put all the effort into your pipes that you can ahead of time, you will be able to make them last longer and save yourself money in the process. However, if you do suffer from any water damage problems in your home, don’t hesitate to call us at Restoration 1 of McDonough. We Proudly serve the Stockbridge community.