A leaky faucet or pipe can be aggravating. However, these problems can be costly when left alone. The leak will cause the water bill to go higher. Eventually, the problem will get worse, possibly causing a flooding issue. Besides the cleanup, mold grows as fast as 24-hours, so a leak can cause a lot of headaches.
Inspect Pipes for Leaks
Checking the walls and cabinets behind and under pipes are a few places you can spot the first problem. Wet walls or standing water under a cabinet are a good indication there is a leak. Weekly checks to ensure the cabinets and pipes are dry are an important step in home maintenance. This not only keeps you on top of any potential leaks, but helps you catch mold before it can spread in your home, as well.
Test the Drains
You can keep ahead of your kitchen maintenance if you take the time to check out the drains each week. The best way to test the drains is to pour water down them and see if they bubble. To make sure the bubbling is coming from the drain, you can fill a gallon jug or a bucket. Then, pour water down each drain. Using this method will keep the faucets dry for another check. If there are bubbles, that tells you there are leaks. This check also helps you get ahead of any clogging that may be backing up the drains as well, which is important for the maintenance of your plumbing system.
Listen for Running or Dripping Water
Refrigerators with ice makers and water dispensers can spring leaks with age or use. Sometimes, the best way to find these problems is by being quiet for a bit. By standing in the middle of the kitchen and leaving off all music and televisions, you can hear leaks that are behind the wall or refrigerator. If you hear something, then you can either call a plumber or investigate further. A plumbing services professional is happy to help you find the issue before it becomes disastrous and expensive. Leaks can be hard to isolate and even harder to properly seal without causing further damage.
Turn on Faucets
The final test you will want to perform weekly is to turn on all the water faucets one at a time. You can check to see if the water is leaking down the fixture, or just coming out the pipe like it is supposed to be doing. If there are any leaks, then your weekly check will help you find them faster than waiting for a big issue to develop. Most of the time, a simple o-ring change is all you need to repair this problem.
By performing regular plumbing maintenance, you can save yourself a lot of hassle and time. A quick check of the entire plumbing system might take 15 or 20 minutes. By looking at all the plumbing and inspecting for leaks, you minimize the chance of a burst pipe or getting sprayed in the face the next time you use the faucet.
