For many of us, when we reach home, we sigh a breath of relief as we step inside. Our houses are a place of comfort and relaxation. However, a lot of us are bound to have faced very frustrating experiences where leaking pipes fill our houses with water.

If leaking pipes issues find their way to your homes, do not panic. It’s very easy to fall into a spiral of feelings that might overwhelm you and lead you to a series of decisions that make the magnitude of the problem much worse than it already is.

So, before you do anything, just take in a few breaths and remind yourself that every problem has a solution.

Then, to know what to actually do and not-to-do if you face such a situation, it is important to know the causes of leaking pipes or water leakages. 

Here are 5 reasons why water leakages due to leaking pipes might occur (don’t worry, they’re pretty common):

1. High Water Pressure: When you notice a change in the water pressure, this is something to be wary about. As water pressure increases, the likelihood of damage or tear to your water pipes. The sudden change in water pressure and direction of water flow might put a strain on your pipes, and thus they might not be able to handle that. So, if you ever notice changes in water pressure, make sure it is not recurring constantly, as it is a sign for concern. You don’t want to be a victim of leaking pipes.
2. Foundation Shifts: This may not apply to everyone because it is more related to the age of the house and the passage of time. However, it is important to stay mindful and aware about this factor. As time passes, it is very common and natural to have small shifts in the foundation and structure of the house. This might create problems as these slight changes or shifts may have a direct and significant change to the water lines, causing them to get damaged or disconnected. So, if you’re moving to a new home and know that the building is old, it’s best to have these things checked prior to settlement.
3. Tree Roots: We all take pride in tending to a beautiful garden at our homes. They are a source of happiness, a show of our artistic side, and even an inspiration of therapeutic feelings. However, especially with large trees, unfortunately, they may pose a danger to our piping systems often. If there are tiny cracks in your water pipes, water vapor may be released in the surrounding soil where the pipes are located. When this happens, tree roots get attracted to further sources of water, thus growing their roots closer and closer to the pipes. Eventually, they may lead to causing huge problems by causing pipe breakages. Whenever you want to plant trees in your home, try to make sure they are ones that don’t dig their roots too deep. Knowing your trees might be a cautionary step to avoiding such problems from arising, but also ensure your garden pipes specifically are fault-free before expanding your garden.
4. Corrosion: While this is a factor that’s common for certain areas more than the others, Corrosion might also not be a reason for piping failure for all houses, but it’s more typically abundant within older homes. Some older homes may have been using copper or galvanized steel piping, which can be susceptible to rust. For this reason, the piping system gets affected and leakages might occur. So, if you move in, it’s important to check for rust and get pipes changed to avoid further and more detrimental effects.
5. Temperature Changes: In general, this is very relevant to Canada as the country goes through many changing seasons. You may have a temperature drop and sun in a matter of seconds, in the same day. Especially during the winter, when temperatures drop really low, and when frost and ice cover many surfaces, extreme weather changes have direct effects on the piping system. These can cause breakages and cracks, which might eventually result in leaking pipes or further damages. Thus, it is important to keep a check on these things while weather change occurs.

Now, since we have identified the common causes of leaking pipes, it is important to know that the awareness about these is a step towards the solutions as well. By having the knowledge, you will be able to take better decisions about how to approach leaking pipes and leakage problems.

If you feel overwhelmed by the whole process, we are here to help round the clock, 24/7. Here at CJ Drain & Plumbing we want you to have a great summer and that means we are here for all your plumbing and drain needs! Our 24/7 service is here to make sure that and problems do not make your home feel less like home. We offer services in Toronto, Etobicoke, Scarborough, Richmond Hill, Oakville, Brampton, Mississauga, North York, and Woodbridge. No job is too big or too small, just give us a call!