Not all problems inside your home come out of the blue. In fact, most issues develop gradually. This is almost worse, as, by the time you realize there is an issue, your home may have already suffered significant damage. A small plumbing leak is one such issue. When there is a large leak, it is pretty easy to figure this out. However, it is the small, regular drips that can cause problems. These small drips may end up leading to water damage, as well as the development of mold spores. In order to avoid this kind of issue, you need to know plumbing leak detection tips and tricks. In some cases, you might be able to easily repair the issue yourself. And even if you can’t, by identifying the possible problem, you have the ability to bring in a professional and have it serviced.
Tips on Plumbing Leak Detection
Do You Have a Suddenly High Bill?
Even the smallest drip can add up quickly. The amount of water you use from one month to the next probably won’t vary all that much. Unless you significantly change your routine, your water bill will usually be about the same. However, if you see a high statement come out of nowhere, you’ll need to look a little deeper at the situation. It is possible there is a water rate hike. That happens from time to time. The water company will typically let you know about this rate hike before it goes into effect (although it is easy to forget about). If there isn’t a rate hike and you haven’t had any sudden changes in the amount of water you use, there is a chance you have a leak somewhere. With this in mind, use the next several tips to look for a possible leak in your home’s plumbing.
Take Tim to Stop and Listen
Have you heard any kind of water sounds when no water is supposed to be on? This is a dead giveaway that there is some kind of leak in your home. When you hear this sound, you’ll want to check all of your faucets and drains. Perhaps the faucet just hasn’t been turned off all the way. Try to follow the sound of the water. However, if you do not see any dripping coming from faucets, check the plumbing closest to the sound. Perhaps there is a small drip under the sink, or there is another issue that you can identify visually. Even if you are not able to fix these problems yourself, you can always turn off the water to the faucet or put a container under the leak to prevent further damage. Failure to identify the leak after this inspection is an indicator that you need to bring in a plumber. You don’t want to start digging around in walls to try and find the leak. Instead, let the plumber find the leak before you proceed.
Do You Have Mold and Mildew?
Have you noticed the development of black mold anywhere in your home? Maybe there is a spot under the sink, or you’ve noticed a spot on a wall somewhere that is starting to turn a brown, black, green, or even blue. If you notice any mold or mildew growth, it is a sign there is a water leak, and you need to take care of it right away. Failure to address this issue early on not only will result in a higher repair bill later on down the line, but it may also put everyone inside your home at risk for exposure to mold. Mold spores can spread easily in your home, and it can cause breathing problems. This becomes serious depending not only on the type of mold but also if anyone in the family suffers from allergies.
There might be times where you are unable to see the mold, but you might smell something that is musty. Try to find the source of this musty aroma. It’s possible there’s just a damp towel that fell behind a dresser somewhere. However, if you’re unable to find the origin of the smell, you’ll want to contact a plumber and have them look. Just like hearing the sound of water but not being able to identify it, you’ll want to have the issue identified and corrected as quickly as possible.
Have You Seen Wet Spots?
Wet spots can spring up anywhere around your property and one of the top signs on our plumbing leak detection guide. Perhaps you spot a wet spot inside of the basement or around a utility room. It might also pop up just along a random wall. You can also find odd wet spots along the outside of your house as well. Sometimes plumbing leaks do not just happen with the plumbing inside of your home but with the plumbing that takes water in and out of the house as well. External leaks can be especially serious as it can lead to the shifting of your home’s foundation. Foundation repair is extremely expensive and is something you will need to address right away. Putting off foundation repair can go from costing a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. So, if you spot any wet spots around you’re property, you will want to address the issue right away.
Right along with wet spots, you might see foundation cracks. Whether in the basement walls or on the outside of the property, whenever there is a foundation crack, it might mean there has been a shift in the foundation itself. Don’t wait around to correct this.
Professional Plumbing Help When It’s Needed
There are times where you will be unable to address the plumbing issue on your own. But don’t worry, professional plumbing services are just a phone call away. If you’ve used these tips for plumbing leak detection and you have found the leak, this one single phone call will help prevent further damage. Do not delay calling, though. The longer you put it off, the more damage your home will sustain, and the more expensive the plumbing correction will cost in the long run. So, if you’ve identified a leak, contact your local plumber as soon as possible.
