As a new homeowner, I can tell you that things aren't always as simple as they appear. I started thinking about it a few years ago, and I realized that there were some serious problems with our plumbing system. We had issues with drains working correctly and toilets flushing like they should, so I started focusing more heavily on understanding the basics of our plumbing system. Within a few short months the entire system was operating more fluidly because of a few changes that I made, so I wanted to create a blog all about my journey. Check out these articles to learn more about the plumbing basics.
Understanding Plumbing Basics
How To Tell If Your Faucet Is Ready To Break
Jorge Alexander
A leaking faucet is a serious annoyance at the best of times. Add in the stress of daily life and the fact that it usually isn't just a leak, and you have a major problem on your hands. You do preventative maintenance on your car and your AC, why not your plumbing? Watching out for signs that your faucets are about to give out will allow you to have it repaired before you have a mess on your hands.
The Faucet Won't Stop Dripping
When the seal on the faucet starts to go, then it will have a hard time stopping the flow of water. Where the actual source of the leak is will depend on the type of faucet you have. Many faucets, the likely source of the dripping is a rubber seal. In others, there is a complex system of joints, and it can be difficult to figure out which one is actually broken. In rare cases, something deeper in your plumbing can cause excess pressure, which manifests in a faucet that doesn't want to turn off. Many people will choose to fix a failing seal themselves, but in more complex scenarios, some professional help may be needed.
Moisture Collects Near Joints
It is normal for condensation to form around cold-water pipes, so the fact that your pipes are damp doesn't necessarily mean that there is a problem. However, if the moisture is specifically around a single joint, then it may be time to do some further investigation. If the water is only located by a joint, it is likely that it is coming from inside the pipe and working its way through whatever seals are supposed to be holding it in. Once the water starts coming through, it will continue to erode the seals until the joint fails completely.
Temperature and Pressure Inconsistency
Deeper in the faucet are the valves that control the flow of hot and cold water specifically. When these come close to failure, instead of a dripping faucet, you get a water stream that is inconsistent. In particular, pay attention to how the faucet behaves when there is water running elsewhere in the house. If it is affected by another tap, whether there is a change in temperature or if the pressure suddenly drops, then the valves that control this need to be replaced.
If you are vigilant then spotting a faucet that is ready to break is possible. Turning off the water and calling a faucet repair service is a much better outcome than trying to get emergency service and having to mop up all the spilled water.
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