Plumbing leaks.
They seem so inconsequential at first, but they can wreak havoc in your home in the blink of an eye. In fact, a water supply leak can empty out hundreds of gallons of water and ruin your bathroom, kitchen, or basement in minutes. The key to protecting yourself from home floods is to be proactive with your water line repairs and replacements.
The rule of thumb is that you should inspect your plumbing system at least once a year and replace most of your supply lines every seven years. We’ve broken down the life expectancy of all the important plumbing supply lines below.
Toilet Supply Line
Most Toronto or other nearby homeowners prefer using braided stainless steel hoses to connect their toilet to the main water supply line. These hoses are considered to be the superior choice and can last about seven years before they need to be replaced. Although replacing an old supply line with a new one may seem easy enough for any homeowner to tackle on their own, we recommend hiring a professional plumber! Installing the correct toilet plumbing parts is a delicate job that requires expertise and training, as overtightening the connections (or not tightening them enough) can result in serious water damage.
Washing Machine Supply Hoses
As mentioned in one of our previous blogs, one of the most common causes of home flooding is a burst water supply line in your laundry room. On average, this can drain about 650 gallons of water per hour into your home, causing expensive and, sometimes, irreversible water damage. We recommend replacing the flimsy rubber connectors with a braided stainless steel hose immediately! Then, keep up with regular supply line replacement every seven years.
Dishwasher Supply Line
Because you rarely venture under the kitchen sink, a damaged dishwasher supply line can go undetected for longer than you can possibly imagine! It’s important to check these connections on a regular basis to avoid clogged drain lines as well as serious water leaks. Again, we recommend replacing the plastic tubing with a braided stainless steel hose, so that you can get more use and protection out of it.
Main Water Line
The main water supply line is the only outlier in how often it needs to be replaced because it largely depends on the pipe materials being used. Water supply lines are designed from the most durable materials available because they carry large amounts of water traveling at high speeds. As a result, they last longer than your basic plumbing fixture connections.
- Copper pipes: ~50 years
- PVC pipes: Indefinitely (but can suffer from damages)
However, even the best of pipes develop unexpected leaks, so don’t skip your annual inspection. In fact, if you notice any of these red flags, you should call a plumber immediately!
Our emergency plumbers are available throughout Toronto and the surrounding areas for quick water supply line repair and replacements. Call us today for leak detection and correction services near you!
