8 Signs You Have a Plumbing Leak in Your Home
Water plays a crucial part in our everyday lives. But as soon as the same water isn’t safely contained in your piping system and starts leaking, it can be a source of destruction. Although you may easily overlook water leaks, they can damage furnishings and your home’s structure, resulting in expensive plumbing repairs. Unfortunately, you may not notice the signs of leaks around your house until it leads to significant damage. It’s also likely that every homeowner will experience at least one case of a water leak, even in new houses. Fortunately, you don’t have to tear down your home’s structure to determine whether you have a pipe leak. Below are the tell-tale signs that your home may have a plumbing leak.
1. Visible Mold and Mildew
Constant water leaks create a damp environment, perfect for mold and mildew growth. Mold is unsightly while growing in your house and is also dangerous because it causes upper respiratory problems. When the mold spores get released into your indoor air, they irritate asthma and allergy sufferers. If an area is permanently wet, it can lead to toxic black mold, which is even more dangerous. In cases where mold or mildew grows in hidden areas, you will likely notice some musty smells in a specific room. Since mildew spreads quickly, you may also notice the pungent smell in other areas within a short time. Mold and mildew can grow because of a leaking pipe, a leaky hose connected to an appliance, condensation from an uninsulated pipe, or a water leak in your garage or basement.
2. Foundation Cracks
As your home settles, it naturally develops some little hairline cracks that are visible on drywalls or ceilings. Also, wear and tear can cause some cracks in your foundation. However, if you notice a widened crack that you’ve never seen before, there could be a leaky pipe in your property’s foundation. This can be dangerous for your loved ones because the undermined foundation can start sinking slowly, and the walls, doors, floors, and windows get torn apart. You can rely on our plumbers to assess the pipes around where the cracks have formed and determine an appropriate solution.
3. Unusual Increase in Water Bills
Have you noticed an unexplainable increase in your water bills? There’s likely a leak in your plumbing that isn’t visible. You may receive a higher-than-expected water bill or a continuous rise each month. If you are unsure there is a leak in your plumbing despite the rise in water bills, monitor your water meter when no one is in the house. Write the numbers of the water meter down before and after you return home. If you notice the meter has moved, there is water leakage in your home. Failure to call a plumbing expert to fix the problem as soon as possible can lead to more water wastage. Leaky toilets may be a likely source of high-water bills and can waste significant amounts of water over time. Our plumbers have the tools and equipment needed to evaluate every part of your plumbing to determine the source of the leak.
4. Damaged Walls and Floors
Have you noticed any discolorations or soft stains on your floor? The problem may result from a leaky pipe under the floor or a substantial leak from the toilet or within the walls. You may also notice peeling or cracking of the caulk or tiles getting loose in areas such as the bathroom or kitchen. Underneath leaks in your flooring may also become apparent when carpeted areas have a musty smell or become moist. Seek help from our professionals to fix the leaky pipes to avoid further damage to your home.
5. Ceiling Stains
A discoloration or dark spot in your home is not only aesthetically unappealing but could also signify a water leak. In some worse cases, you may have a sagging ceiling when there is rapid water leakage. If the pipes running through your attic become damaged, they may start dripping water into the ceiling. Once the water starts rotting away at the ceiling’ material, it forms rings of stains and a distinct discoloration. With time, enough water can gather on your ceiling, making it collapse. Therefore, call an experienced plumber immediately if you notice any yellowish-brown stains or spots on your ceiling.
6. Peeling or Bubbling Paint
A peeling or bubbling paint on your walls or ceiling is another indicator of a water leak somewhere in the plumbing system or the roofing structure. Once paint becomes damp, it starts peeling off because its composition starts to break down. While it’s wet, the paint can peel away in one long strip. When dry, paint blisters leave the wall in flakes. Sadly, these signs become noticeable after a leak has been persistent for extended periods. Therefore, make sure you call our plumbers immediately if you notice blistering or peeling paint to prevent further damage to your property.
7. Noisy Plumbing
Your home’s plumbing system should be relatively quiet when everything is in perfect condition. However, you may have a leak in your plumbing if you hear a knocking noise or constant dripping sounds after turning off the water. Also, if your toilet suddenly becomes noisy, it’s most likely due to a leak. In this case, the tank takes in water constantly, and the piping will start grumbling as air moves around. Whenever you hear strange noises in your pipes, seek the assistance of our knowledgeable plumbers to help you determine the cause of these sounds and to fix the issue.
8. Reduced Water Pressure
Low water pressure or weak water flow can result from a distribution issue especially if it only affects one location. However, if there is reduced water pressure in multiple areas around your house, it may signify a plumbing leak. When there is a leak in your pipes, it restricts full water flow to the point of exit. Seek help from our team to seal any leaks in your plumbing that may slow down the water pressure so that normal pressure resumes.
The Trusted Plumbing Experts
You should never ignore a plumbing leak, no matter how minor it may seem. While the water drips may seem minimal, they can lead to significant property damage around your home. You’ll have to pay for expensive repairs and skyrocketing water bills. Fortunately, you can look out for the above water leak signs in your house. If you spot any potential sign of a plumbing leak, such as a visible mold, noisy plumbing, or huge foundation cracks, look no further than On Time Experts.
Our team is ready to take over the burden of eliminating water leaks around your home. We come fully equipped with all the tools for the job and will work on the plumbing issue in the shortest time possible. No matter how complex the plumbing problem may seem, you can trust our team to fix it and ensure your system is in perfect condition. Our family-owned company has consistently provided dependable plumbing services for over four decades. You can rely on our professionals for furnace repair, AC repair, drain cleaning, water heater repair, AC installation, water treatment, garbage disposal installation, furnace installation, slab leak repair, and sewer pipe repair services in Garland.
Get in touch with On Time Experts for the best plumbing services today.