Owning a home is a source of pride, a way to generate wealth, and, sometimes, a big pain in the neck. There are times the maintenance seems never-ending. Get ahead of the chores by staying alert to these common causes of water leaks and pipe damage.

Broken Seals or Loose Connectors

Appliances that use water connections have hoses and seals. These can degrade or loosen over time. Unfortunately, these leaks often go undetected as water drips slowly onto the floor and soaks in. Keep an eye on the areas around your dishwasher, washing machine, and ice-making refrigerator.

Corrosion

Pipes don’t last forever and will corrode over time. This may be especially true in areas with hard water or in older homes where the pipes have been in use for decades. Even stray underground electric currents can cause pipes to corrode.

Damaged Joints and Excess Pressure

The joints in the pipes are where they connect and bend and these areas are more vulnerable to leaks. If you hear a ticking or banging sound when you turn on the water, especially the hot water, contact a plumber to evaluate. Higher than necessary water pressure strains pipes throughout but might show up in damaged or weakened joints and connectors first.

Clogs

Clogged pipes are a very common problem. If left unresolved, they can cause leaks and even line breaks. If you turn on the water or flush the toilet and gunk comes up out of a different drain, you may have a serious sewer line issue. In that instance, call a plumber.

Frozen Pipes

People who live in cold climates keep a close eye on predicted overnight temperatures in the winter. One trick is to keep the water on at a trickle to prevent pipes from freezing. However, a sudden change in temperature can catch anyone off guard with hoses still attached to faucets outdoors, as the pipes can freeze up and possibly burst.

Tree Roots and Other External Leaks

Roots can get into underground pipes and create havoc. Little pinholes grow into large leaks. If you notice a persistent wet spot in your yard, or a sudden and inexplicable drop in water pressure, you might have a leak in the line that delivers water to your home. A nasty odor or several backed-up drains might mean a sewer line break.

Toilets

If the throne “runs,” or keeps making noise when the tank is supposed to be refilling, or you hear a gurgling sound, the toilet may be slowing leaking and wasting water that is perpetually running out down the overflow tube. The seal at the base of the toilet also can deteriorate, causing leaks into the floor.

Home maintenance is part of the deal when you become a homeowner. Prevention is almost always less expensive than repair, so keep ahead of common causes of water leaks and pipe damage.