Water supply line leaks can damage your home's foundation, cause mold problems, and ruin entire finished living spaces. In this article, restoration expert Jessica Rinfret discusses how to spot and prevent supply line leaks.
What Is a Water Supply Line Leak?
Your supply lines bring water from a water source to your plumbing appliances like sinks, toilets, and washing machines. When a supply line breaks, cracks, or erodes, it can leak a significant amount of water, causing thousands of dollars in damage.
How to Prevent Water Supply Line Leaks
1. Familiarize Yourself With Your Water Supply Lines
The first step to preventing supply line leaks is understanding your water supply lines. Determine where they are, where the shut-off knobs are, how old they are, and what they're made of.
All water sources in your home have supply lines, including:
- Sinks
- Toilets
- Washing Machine
- Fridge
- Dishwasher
- Water Softener
Make sure that you and everyone else in your household knows where the valves are to shut off each individual water supply line should any leak ever be discovered. This can minimize damage should any problems occur, and help prevent the need for costly water damage restoration.
2. Upgrade to Stainless Steel Braided Water Supply Lines
Supply lines come in copper, plastics, PEX tubing, and braided steel. Upgrading your supply lines to stainless steel or PEX is one of the simplest ways to prevent water damage. Some local plumbers offer a discount if you switch all supply lines at once.
3. Protect Pipes from Freezing Temperatures
Frozen pipes can burst and cause extensive damage. If you live in an area where temperatures regularly dip below freezing, take steps to prevent your pipes from freezing. Consult resources on insulating pipes and winterizing your home to prevent water damage.
4. Test Your Water Supply Line Shut-Off Valves
Set a reminder to check your supply lines twice a year. Turn the shut-off valves on and off a couple of times to ensure they're working properly.
5. Never Move Appliances With Supply Lines
Pulling your refrigerator or washing machine out to clean behind them can cause premature water supply line failure. They're not meant to be moved out and in, and doing so can cause the internal supply line materials to become weak. Refrigerator supply line leaks are one of the most common causes of water damage, so it's recommended that homeowners turn off the supply lines to the ice maker entirely.
Signs of a Water Supply Line Leak
Everyone in the home should also know what to look for that might indicate a potential leak.
Keep an eye out for:
- Warping inside kitchen and bathroom cabinetry
- Musty smells underneath cabinets or in the laundry room
- Warping on floors (hardwood or laminate)
- Wet or musty-smelling carpet
- Discoloration on the wall behind a toilet
- Unexplained water on the floor
- Sounds of dripping in the walls
- Wet or discolored ceilings
- Unusually high water bills
All of these signs could indicate a potential problem with a supply line and should be investigated immediately. The sooner water damage is addressed, the less damage it causes.
Is a Supply Line Leak an Emergency?
Supply line leaks can require emergency cleanup and restoration, depending on the type and source of the leak. Call a professional as soon as you suspect a supply line leak to avoid long-term water damage, mold damage, and air quality issues. The longer you wait, the more chance the water damage can spread.
If you notice any signs of a supply line leak, turn off the water supply line, as long as it's safe to do so.
Call a professional immediately in any of these situations:
- A pipe breaks or bursts
- Hot water supply lines leaking (hot water can cause damage three times faster than cold water - and can cause mold to grow three times faster as well)
- If you have standing water covering an area larger than 10 square feet
If you're experiencing a water supply line leak, contact a professional or call 720-729-0002. Professional help is available 24/7.
