Mississauga Copper Pipe Repair

If you've discovered a leaky pipe, then it's clear as day that you need pipe repair. But other signs of trouble aren't so blatant. Homeowners can save themselves a lot of time, money, and stress if they're aware of the indications that their system needs copper pipe repair or a new pipe replacement because they can call a skilled plumber who knows how to fix a copper pipe leak before the issue gets out of hand.

Here are some major signs of trouble coming down the copper pipe.

Blue-Green Stains in Fixtures

Rust-colored water is a common sign of corrosion on the inside of a steel pipe, but copper pipe plumbing doesn't rust because it doesn't contain enough iron. It does, however, develop a bluish-green patina that coats the inside of the pipe as it ages. When it gets bad enough, you may notice that plumbing fixtures such as bathtubs or sink basins are developing blue-green stains that are difficult to scrub away. That obviously isn't a great look for your white enamel fixtures, but it's also a sign that the corrosion inside your pipes is at the point where it may start causing other, more serious issues and needs the attention of a professional for copper pipe repair.

Low Water Volume

The water volume coming from your faucets is normal and consistent across all your plumbing fixtures—until one day when you turn on the tap, and the volume in a certain fixture is much lower than usual. Or, all fixtures located in a certain part of the house are affected. This is often a sign of a leak that is causing the pressure to drop because not all the water is making it to the faucet. However, it's possible it's related to corrosion or sediment build-up that restricts the flow of water. Either way, our reliable team can take a look and come up with the right copper pipe repair strategy to get your water pressure back up to full force.

Water Damage From Leaks

Most homeowners think they know exactly what water leaks look like—there's water spraying out of a pipe like it's a garden hose or a mysterious puddle forming on the floor in front of a fixture such as a sink. Admittedly, those are pretty clear signs of a leak. But, sometimes, the leak is located in a place where it can cause a lot of problems without being so obvious.

Potential signs of a leaky copper pipe include:

• Softened, damp drywall, especially where plumbing lines emerge from the wall
• Brown water stains on walls or ceilings
• Soggy patches of carpet or rotting floorboards
• Musty odors
• Patches of wet, soggy grass on the lawn

If you notice these issues with plumbing copper pipe or other signs such as a visible leak or pipes that have signs of corrosion on the outside, it's important to shut off the water main and get a qualified plumber in there right away. Water leaks can cause a massive amount of damage in a very short span of time, so they need to be stopped immediately with reliable repairs.

High Charges on Water Bills

Sometimes, there's only one glaring indication that you've got a leak in your water supply pipes: the charges on your water bill increase suddenly, even though you're pretty sure your household is drawing around the same amount of water that you normally use.

If you've got a leaky pipe, you're paying for water that isn't even reaching your plumbing fixtures. The easiest way to confirm whether this is what's going on is to check your water meter. Right before everyone goes to bed for the night, make sure all your plumbing fixtures are shut off so there's no water moving through the pipes—or at least, there shouldn't be. Have a look at your water meter and note down the position of the indicator, then go to bed. In the morning, before you flush the toilet or turn on any faucets, look at your meter again. If the indicator has changed position or is currently moving, you've likely got a leak and should call a Mississauga copper pipe repair expert as soon as possible. You can also find out more about where the problem is located by turning off your main water supply valve and taking a look at the meter again. If it stops moving, the leak is in the house, past the shutoff valve. If it's still moving, the leak is between the water meter and the shutoff valve.

Stagnant Water in Pipes

If you've been away on an extended vacation and your plumbing has gone unused for a long time, or you've got a downstairs bathroom that is rarely (if ever) used, water stagnation could cause problems that will lead to copper pipe repair.

There's typically always some water sitting in pipes, and if it stagnates for a long time, it can accelerate corrosion inside the line. If you plan to be away for several months, the best practice is to shut off your water main and drain the lines before you leave. This is especially important if you'll be gone during the winter months because it'll prevent frozen pipes. Alternatively, you could have someone come over once per week to check on the property. If they flush the toilets and run water in the sink for a little while when they're over collecting the mail and so on, it'll go a long way towards preventing stagnation and the need for repair of your copper pipe.

Your Neighbours Need Copper Pipe Repair

Maybe you were chatting over the fence with your neighbor, and they mentioned they've been having plumbing problems that necessitate copper pipe repair or replacement. Or, you peeked out your window one morning and saw a crew hard at work digging a trench to access your neighbor's water lines. If your homes were built at the same time by the same construction company and your neighbor is experiencing difficulties that require copper pipe repair, chances are very good that you will start noticing problems with your system soon—particularly if your homes are more than a couple of decades old and you've never had a pipe replacement. It's worth having a plumber inspect your lines for signs of trouble so you can avoid the stress and hassle of an impending plumbing disaster.