Inspect Water Supply Lines
Why It Matters
Burst supply lines are the number one cause of homeowner insurance water damage claims. Replacing them is cheap prevention.
Quick Guide
- 1
Gather your tools and materials
You'll need: Flashlight. Materials required: necessary materials.
- 2
Perform the inspect water supply lines
Check flexible supply lines under sinks, behind toilets, and at the washing machine for bulging, cracking, or corrosion.
- 3
Verify and clean up
Check that the work was completed correctly and clean up your workspace. If replace any supply line that shows bulging or cracking, consider calling a professional.
Tools & Materials
Tools
- Flashlight
Community Tips
Check supply lines at their connection points to the shutoff valve and fixture first, as 80% of leaks originate from these fittings rather than the line body itself. Tighten any loose compression nuts by hand, then use an adjustable wrench for a quarter-turn only—over-tightening copper or PEX fittings causes the opposite problem.
A Ryobi LED Flashlight with magnetic base ($15-25) allows hands-free inspection under sinks and behind toilets, making it easier to spot corrosion, mineral deposits, or pinhole leaks that indicate imminent failure. The magnet secures it to metal pipes, freeing both hands for manipulation or note-taking.
Polybutylene (PB) supply lines installed between 1978 and 1998 become brittle and fail without warning; if gray or white tubing is present, plan for complete replacement rather than patch repairs. Modern PEX lines like those from Uponor ($0.50-1.00 per foot) offer superior durability and should replace any original PB discovered during inspection. ---