Three Signs You Have Leaking Pipes
After a drainage clog, a leaking pipe is the most common
home plumbing issue. Unlike a clog, which is almost always immediately apparent, leaks can easily remain undetected and hidden. Most of the pipes in our homes are neatly tucked away behind or walls, floors or seldom seen areas of the house. While this is certainly tidy, this does mean that even a major leak can easily occur without detection until expensive and serious damage has already been caused. Plumbing professionals have the special equipment and training to locate leaks even slab leaks under heavy concrete floors. Unfortunately, you need to know that you require a plumber in the first place. Luckily, there are three signs that can warn you that you have leaking pipes in your home.
Increased Water Bills
Even a minute leak can waste a massive amount of water. Just a small leak, losing only three drops of water each minute, will add up to 70 gallons of wasted water over a month. This means that even if you have a minor leak, you should be able to notice a difference in your water bills. It is always worth checking your bills each and every month to check if there are any unexplained increases in your charges. If your bill shows an unexpected increased charge, you should call a professional plumber to trace the underlying cause of the water loss.
Lost Water Pressure
A large leak or several smaller leaks can have a noticeable impact on the water pressure throughout your home. While an occasional drop in water pressure is usually the result of a municipal system issue, consistent drops are a good indication of a serious water leak issue that requires investigation. The water pressure issues can be localized in one area of your home, but it is more likely to affect your whole plumbing system. This means that you are likely to notice that your shower isn’t as powerful, and your kitchen faucet lacks force. You may even find that your washing machine or dishwasher abort its program as the pressure drops too low for a proper fill cycle.
Building Material Damage
If you notice warped floorboards or water marks on drywall and other building materials, it is a warning that you have a leak. Small leaks can allow a pool of standing water to build up. This will cause massive damage to building materials over time. A damp environment will allow wood rot to start to warp and weaken your floorboards, which will eventually destroy them completely. The damp will also encourage mildew and mold which can eat through your drywall. In some cases, you may detect the musty smell of mildew, but keep an eye out for lumps in your floor or discoloration on your walls, which means you urgently need leak detection and repair.
It is worth remembering that even a small leak can have devastating consequences for your home. Regardless of the size of leak, from a pinhole to a major breach, an accumulation of water can threaten your home and cause massive damage. Therefore, at the first indication that you may have a leak, ensure that you have a
plumbing professional check it out.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solutions.
