A major cause of plumbing leaks in your home is long-term stress on the pipes. If you constantly have leaky pipes, read on for tips on how to protect the integrity of your pipes and hopefully prevent major damage that would necessitate replacing your entire plumbing in the long run.

Soften your water

Water with a high mineral content—often referred to as hard water—can increase stress on your home plumbing and result in damaged pipes. Calcium and magnesium in hard water adheres to the pipes over time, causing clogging and increasing water pressure.

If you notice a white buildup on shower heads and faucets, you probably have hard water and should immediately consider installing a water softener. Traditional water softeners typically use sodium to replace calcium and magnesium in hard water. If you are concerned about high sodium levels in your water, consider installing an electronic softener that uses electromagnetic pulses to dissolve minerals in your water.

You should also call in a plumber to replace pipes that have been clogged up by scum so as to relieve water pressure in your plumbing and prevent damage to your faucets and water-supplied appliances.

Adjust the water pressure

Too-high water pressure increases stress on your plumbing, causing pipe damage and leaks. High pressure in the pipes also wastes water and can damage dishwashers, ice makers, and washing machines.

To prevent damage to your pipes, call in a plumber to test water pressure in your home using a hose bib gauge. Pressure readings that exceed 65 psi are usually considered too high for residential use and need to be reduced. Most modern homes have a water-pressure regulator mounted on the main water supply to regulate water pressure if necessary. If your home doesn't have a regulator, consider installing one so you can easily normalize the pressure coming from the municipal supply and protect your pipes.

Install a thermal expansion tank

If you have a water heater, you could have increased water pressure due to thermal expansion of the water in your pipes even when the pressure from the main supply line is within the recommended range. This occurs when the heater warms your water, causing it to expand slightly and increase pressure in the pipes.

A good solution to this problem is to have a thermal expansion tank installed in your home's water system to absorb excessive volume changes and prevent pressure variations that could damage your plumbing.

If you need assistance from a professional, contact a company like Bowman's Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. to set up an appointment.