If your faucet is leaking, this is pretty obvious that you have a water leak. But what about those leaks you can’t see like ones that occur in your ceiling, under the floor, or behind your walls? Leaks can also occur in so many places in your home like your toilets, sinks, showers, drains, and bathtubs. Any water leaking anywhere, if left unattended, can lead to serious property damage that will cost you a lot of money to fix. Because it is not easy to find out the cause of hidden water leaks, you can only do your best to try to control the leak by turning off the water to your home first. Then you should contact a plumber immediately to find the cause of the leak and fix it. Pay attention to the signs of hidden leaks so you can get them fixed before they become more serious.
Higher Water Bills
Unless you have family or friends staying at your house, if your water bill is much higher than it normally is, this could be a sign that you have a water leak in your home. Your water bill is usually around the same amount each month although it does vary slightly from season to season. The only way to know for sure why your water bills are higher is to hire a professional like Frankston Plumbers at Fix It Right to check your plumbing system from top to bottom, diagnose your problem, and fix it quickly and effectively.
Stained Walls
It is not uncommon to see stains on your bathroom walls, especially if you don’t have adequate ventilation. However, it can also be assign of a plumbing leak. If the stains are dark, brown, or copper in color, it is most likely a water leak. If you see bubbles or cracks in your walls or your wallpaper is peeling or blistering, contact a plumber because these are also signs that you have a leak. Don’t wait until the damage get worse because it will cost you much more money to fix.
Uninvited Guests
Did you know that insects are attracted to wet or damp areas? Mosquitoes seek out stagnant water to lay their eggs. If you have an outdoor water faucet that is leaking, you are risking the chance of having a mosquito infestation problem. You should also check to make sure your sprinkler heads and gutters are working properly. Carpenter ants and termites are wood boring insects. When the wood is damaged by water, it becomes softer and easier for some insects to cause damage and even lay eggs. The outside of your home is not the only area you should be concerned about. The insects don’t care if the water is outside your home or inside. Many bugs can be found near pipes and around drains in your bathroom. Fix any water leaks you have and stop feeding the uninvited bugs.
Visible Mold or Musty, Moldy Smell
If you see mold growing in your bathroom, kitchen, basement, or other rooms in your home, you have a water leaking problem that you need to address. Mold causes damage to your house and can also cause some of your family members to get sick, especially if they have asthma or allergies. However, not all mold is visible. It can grow behind your walls or under your carpeting. Pay attention to musty or moldy odors because these can be signs of mold growth and if left to fester, can cause serious damage to your home that will be very costly to fix.
Temperature Fluctuations
Have you ever been in a hotel shower when the water temperature fluctuates between hot and cold too often? This is understandable because many rooms are serviced by and share the same water supply lines. If, however, you notice the same thing happening in your home, it could be a sign that your pipes are starting to corrode.
Unusual Sounds
Have you ever turned on your kitchen sink and heard an odd hissing noise? Do you hear dripping sounds from your toilet when you haven’t used it? These could be signs of a water leak.
Water leaks are not always easy to find but because they can cause major damage to your home, you should be on the lookout for any signs that might be pointing to water leaks.