Plumbing pipe leaks are one of many common household plumbing problems that NJ homeowners face on a regular basis.
Although many people have enough basic DIY skills to handle the occasional leaky faucet or clogged u-trap, there are always problems that will require the services of a professional NJ plumber.
Plumbing leaks are sometimes accessible, like in the u-trap under a sink, but it’s much more common for leaking pipes to be concealed behind walls or above ceilings.
A plumbing pipe water leak can waste gallons of water on a daily basis, running up your water bill while causing damage to surrounding floors and drywall.
For hidden plumbing leaks, you’ll probably need professional plumbing pipe leak repair from a local NJ plumbing contractor.
At Quest Plumbing services NJ, we provide a full range of residential and commercial plumbing, sewer, drain, drainage, water heater, and HVAC services in NJ.
Our team of experienced, licensed local NJ plumbers are available 24/7 for emergency repairs.
Call us any time for great service, fast response times, and straightforward pricing from NJ’s top plumbing experts.
Need plumbing pipe leak repair? Call us any time at Quest Plumbing NJ, at 201-399-2160.
10 Common NJ Plumbing Pipe Problems
These 10 plumbing problems are among the most common reasons that NJ homeowners will call a local plumber for plumbing pipe repairs.
Some of these problems can be fixed by a knowledgeable, capable homeowner, but in most cases, you’ll want to go ahead and call a local NJ professional plumber. Trying to fix plumbing problems by yourself can lead you to accidentally make the problem worse, especially if you’re inexperienced or not sure what you’re doing.
10 of the most common residential plumbing problems include:
- Hidden plumbing pipe leaks
- Low water pressure
- Dripping faucets
- Slow drain pipes
- Clogged sewer main lines
- Frozen plumbing pipes
- Leaking toilets
- Water heater leaking
- Malfunctioning garbage disposals
- Burst plumbing pipes
- Water main repair or replacement
- Sewer leak repair services
- Leaking curb valve replacement
From hidden water leaks, to clogged sewer main lines, some problems are best fixed by a NJ plumbers with professional tools and training.
For great local plumbing pipe leak repair services, call us any time at Quest Plumbing NJ.
Quest plumbing service NJ always available for residential and commercial plumbing repairs, water heater service, and more in New Jersey.
Need plumbing pipe leak repair in NJ?
Call us any time at Quest Plumbing NJ, at 201-399-2160.
1. Hidden Plumbing Pipe Leaks in NJ
Even a very small plumbing pipe water leak, as small as 1/8″, can leaks as many as 250 gallons of water in a single day.
Plumbing leaks are a leading cause of water damage in NJ and elsewhere in the United States.
40% of US homeowners have filed a homeowner’s insurance claim for water damage, and in most cases, it was caused by some kind of plumbing problem.
The problem with water leaking from plumbing pipes is that homeowners don’t notice the problem right away.
While some plumbing problems, like a burst plumbing pipe or a collapsed sewer line, are noticeable right away, smaller leaks can be hidden away in the wall or ceiling.
Homeowners don’t notice until water damage becomes visible, or water bills skyrocket with no other explanation.
Once you notice signs of a possible plumbing water leak, the best thing to do is to call a NJ plumber right away for leak detection and plumbing pipe leak repairs.
Getting help quickly can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars by preventing flooding and water damage to your home.
How to Tell if You Need NJ Plumbing Pipe Leak Repair
There are a few key warning signs that can tip you off that you may have a hidden plumbing leak. These red flags include:
- Unexplained wet spots. An unexplained dark or wet spot on a wall or ceiling is often an early sign that you have a hidden plumbing water leak. Although exposed pipes in your basement or attic may be fully visible, making it obvious when they’re dripping or leaking, most of the plumbing in your home is hidden away.
This makes water leaks in concealed plumbing pipes harder to detect. When a pipe in a wall or above a ceiling leaks, the water creates a roundish but irregular dark area, which may be tangibly moist.
This moisture can damage wallpaper, drywall, and other materials, as well as creating a prime location for mold and mildew growth.
- Faint dripping sounds. If you listen closely, a leaky pipe may actually be audible. Unexplained dripping sounds can often indicate a plumbing pipe leak.
- Mold or mildew spots that come back after you sanitize them. The moisture emitted by a leaking plumbing pipe creates a perfect environment for unwanted mold growth. Mold and mildew spores are always present in the air in minute amounts, and when there’s unwanted moisture in your home, it allows them to settle down and begin to grow. When you have a plumbing leak that’s emitting constant moisture, mold will often recur after you’ve tried to clean, bleach, and sanitize the area. Active mold in your home is never a good thing, as the mold and mildew emits microscopic spores that can irritate allergies and cause respiratory problems.
- A sudden hike in your monthly water bill. Many homeowners find that their water bill will fluctuate occasionally or seasonally, but a sudden and unexplained rise in your water usage could indicate a hidden plumbing leak.
If you’ve noticed these problems in your home, you should probably call a local NJ plumbing company for inspection and plumbing pipe leak repair service.
Stopping the leak as early as possible help prevent any further water damage. Some of the effects of ongoing water leaks from your plumbing pipes can include:
- Wall, paint, wallpaper, drywall, and flooring damage
- Mold and bacterial growth
- Lowered water pressure
- Flooding
To prevent these problems from getting out of hand, call us any time at Quest Plumbing NJ for fast, effective plumbing pipe leak repairs in NJ.
Why Do Water Pipes Leak?
There are several different things that can cause household plumbing pipes to spring a leak. Some of the possible causes include:
- Loose pipe joints. The joints that connect sections of plumbing pipe can come loose or develop cracks, causing water to leak out.
- Corrosion due to water pH. The pH of the local water can affect the rate and likelihood of pipe corrosion. pH (acidity or alkalinity) is measured on a scale of 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very alkaline). 7 is neutral, and is often cited as the expected value of pure water. The scale is actually logarithmic, not linear. If you have copper plumbing pipes in your home, a water pH over 8 can cause the formation of copper oxide on the insides of the pipe walls. This acts as a protective film, and actually slows the rate of corrosion. However, when the pH is lower than 8 (more acidic), the copper oxide will dissolve, leaving the pipe susceptible to corrosion from the water. This leads to pinhole leaks that can damage nearby walls, drywall, and flooring.
- Water oxygenation. The amount of dissolved oxygen inside the local water can also affect rates or corrosion. Residential plumbing systems are considered to be an “open” system, in which the water supply is continuously replenished with fresh, oxygenated water. Dissolved air in the water supply is usually about 30% oxygen and 70% nitrogen. Oxygen actually degrades metal through electro-chemical oxidative processes, causing rust and weakening the metal.
- Water temperature. Higher temperatures can speed up the oxidation process in metal plumbing pipes. Corrosion and resulting plumbing pipe water leaks are more likely to occur in hot water pipes than in cold water pipes.
Professional Leak Detection and Plumbing Repairs in New Jersey
If you have a plumbing leak in a concealed pipe, you’ll probably need plumbing pipe repair from a local NJ plumber.
At Quest Plumbing NJ, we’re available 24/7 for emergency leak repair, water heater repair, and more in north NJ.
Call us any time to find out more, or to get repairs today.
Need plumbing pipe leak repair? Call us any time at Quest Plumbing NJ, at 201-399-2160.
2. Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure is another common plumbing problem in NJ.
If the water in your shower or faucets feels weaker than usual, there could be something wrong with your plumbing.
It could be due to a leaky pipe, but there are other possible causes as well:
- Water utility issues. If your neighbors are having the same problem, you may need to contact your local water utility company.
- Supply valve problems. In some cases, low water pressure can result from the supply valve to your home is partially closed, restricting water flow.
- Lime scale buildup. If the low water pressure is only in a certain faucet or showerhead, it could be the result of lime scale buildup.
3. Dripping Faucets
Dripping faucets often occur because a washer has worn out.
It could also be a problem with the O ring on the stem screw that holds the faucet handle in place.
With years of regular usage, O rings wear out or become loose, causing dripping near the handle.
Worn out or improperly installed washers can also cause a faucet to drip or leak.
4. Slow or Clogged Drain Pipes
Drain pipes in your kitchen or bathroom can occasionally clog, causing slow drainage and other problems.
The most common reason for clogged drain pipes are things that get washed or flushed down the pipes, causing obstructions.
Common materials that cause clogged drains include:
- Hair
- Kitchen grease
- Paper towels
- Feminine products
- Diapers
- Cigarette butts
- Other paper products that aren’t toilet paper
If it isn’t toilet paper, it shouldn’t go down a toilet or drain. Never trust a product that the manufacturer insists is “flushable”: in most cases, it isn’t.
5. Clogged Sewer Main Lines
Like drain pipes, your main sewer lateral can also become clogged.
Paper products, feminine products, and grease are common culprits, but tree roots can also encroach into the pipes and obstruct water flow.
For sewer clog cleaning, NJ plumbers use hydro jetting equipment.
The high-pressure water jets can break apart debris, clearing out the sewer main line completely.
Afterward, sewer camera inspection can find cracks or holes, which provide an initial entry point for the tree roots that often caused the clog in the first place.
Sewer repair techniques like pipe lining can patch up the damage, preventing underground water leaks and keeping tree roots out permanently.
Need plumbing pipe leak repair? Call us any time at Quest Plumbing NJ, at 201-399-2160.
6. Frozen Plumbing Pipes
During the cold New Jersey winters, frozen plumbing pipes are a common concern.
When water freezes inside a pipe, it rapidly expands, putting pressure on the pipe walls that can cause it to burst.
NJ plumbers can install special plumbing installation to help prevent clogs, but if a pipe freezes, you’ll probably need to call for emergency plumbing pipe repair to carefully thaw the pipe to stop it from bursting.
7. Leaking Toilets
NJ homeowners sometimes get plumbing leaks under their toilets.
Leaking toilets can usually be attributed to a broken flange, a flange that’s more than 1/4″ lower than the floor, or rotting around the flange.
Toilet leaks can damage surrounding tile and other flooring, so it’s best to get timely repairs from a local NJ plumber.
8. Water Heater Leaking
Water heaters can leak, either from the pipes that carry hot water to the plumbing system, or from the tank itself.
Plumbing pipe water leaks near the water heater can often be repaired easily by a plumber, but if the tank itself is leaking, it’s probably undergone significant corrosion.
Once the tank has corroded, there’s not much you can do to fix it. You’ll actually need water heater replacement with a new, efficient model.
Fortunately, your new water heater should last up to 15 years, making it a worthwhile long-term investment.
9. Malfunctioning Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals can jam up, get clogged, or leak out water.
If it’s not working at all, the problem may be with the power supply.
However, if the motor hums but the blades aren’t grinding, the disposal is probably jammed.
A NJ plumber can take the disposal apart to find and clear the jam.
10. Burst Plumbing Pipes
Burst plumbing pipes often result from freezing, but sudden changes in water pressure or water temperature can also cause this to occur.
A burst plumbing pipe is a serious emergency, and you’ll need to call a 24-hour NJ plumbing service for immediate repairs to prevent flooding and water damage.
Need plumbing pipe leak repair? Call us any time at Quest Plumbing NJ, at 201-399-2160
Need Plumbing Pipe Leak Repair in NJ?
Call Us Any Time at Quest Plumbing NJ for 24-Hour Emergency Plumbing Service
Need plumbing pipe repairs for a water leak?
At Quest Plumbing NJ, we provide 24-hour emergency plumbing sewer pipes repairs for burst pipes, frozen pipes, hidden water leaks, basement flooding, and more.
Call us any time for service in as little as 45 minutes, at 201-399-2160