Leaks aren’t always dramatic events with gushing water. Some leaks are slow, often hidden inside the ceiling and walls and underneath slabs. Approximately 10% of all household leaks go undetected with 90 gallons of water wasted daily. The result is high water bills and thousands of dollars in property damage. Homeowners can avoid water damage from leaks by paying attention and watching for these 10 signs of a water leak.
1. Spiking Water Bills
Noticing a sudden, significant increase in your water bill should set off an alarm. Water from small leaks can add up quickly to waste thousands of gallons. Unless you’ve had unusual activity like houseguests for a while, you can suspect a water leak.
It can be tricky to determine a water leak. One way is to check the reading on your meter, leave the house empty, and check again upon returning home. The meter should show the same reading. If needed, a professional from Yellow Submarine Plumbing & Rooter in Nanaimo can find and fix hidden leaks.
2. Visible Wet Spots
Water stains on ceilings usually indicate a roof leak and should be addressed by a professional roofer. However, if you have a bathroom or other plumbing upstairs, a professional plumber in Nanaimo should address it right away. By the time the stain is noticeable, significant damage is just around the corner.
Peeling paint or blistering wallpaper may indicate a leak inside the wall. The wood and drywall will grow moist and cause damage to the structure underneath the wall. Prolonged exposure can lead to costly repairs and potential health hazards from mold growth.
Another “wet spot” to look for is on your lawn. A patch of grass greener than the rest of the lawn may mean a leak in your irrigation system or sewer line.
3. Mold and Mildew Growth
Wet spots in your home can promote the growth of unhealthy and damaging mold and mildew. You may see dark spots, or you may have to rely on other signs. If you notice a musty smell, you probably have mold growing. The leak is likely deep-seated, and you’ll need a professional plumber to address the problem and assess the damage. If you or someone in your household develops respiratory symptoms or worsened allergies, you can suspect mold.
4. Low Water Pressure
Several issues can cause low water pressure, including faulty valves, sediment buildup in pipes, and water leaks. If you notice a sudden drop in water pressure when only one appliance is in use, your plumbing system may leak somewhere. Bathing and performing household chores will be nearly impossible. Persistent low water pressure can also indicate more severe underlying issues within your plumbing system that need immediate attention.
5. Hearing Running Water
Did you know that water constantly flows through your home’s main water line? You shouldn’t see or hear it because the pipes are a closed system. If your plumbing develops a cracked, leaky pipe you may begin to hear the flow of water inside the walls.
If you think you may hear the sound of water, go to a low, quiet area in your home, and listen carefully. If you hear water flowing, call our professionals right away to locate and replace faulty piping.
6. A Sagging Ceiling
When a multi-level home develops a severely sagging roof between levels right away, you’ve likely experienced a plumbing emergency that is easy to see. But if the sagging is gradual, it’s a slow, hidden leak.
If you have a home with plumbing between levels, stay proactive and watch for the beginning of sagging in parts of the ceiling over time. Slight sagging indicates a slow leak from a trace of water. Contact our professionals before it grows to the point where the ceiling may collapse and cause serious damage.
7. Rotting Wood and Termites
Termites are attracted to soft, damp wood that is rotting from moisture. The softened wood is easier for them to chew and burrow into. If you see signs of termites or other insects that damage wood, there’s a chance you have a hidden leak. Watch for tiny piles of sawdust, swarmers, mud tunnels, and discarded wings. Of course, you must call an exterminator to take care of your insect problem. However, leak detection services from Yellow Submarine Plumbing & Rooter will take care of the source of the moist wood.
Rotting wood itself without signs of wood-destroying insects is also a clue that moisture is coming from somewhere. A leak from interior plumbing may be the source. Signs include swollen baseboards and buckling hardwood floors. Regularly inspecting these areas and addressing any signs of moisture promptly can help prevent extensive damage and costly repairs.
8. A Wobbly Toilet
Your toilet should sit firmly on the bathroom floor. One that feels loose or wobbly may be an early warning sign of an active leak. It could come from the toilet itself such as a worn wax seal or a crack in the base. The leak could also come from somewhere else in the bathroom like a sink, bathtub, or shower. An experienced expert plumber will find the source of the leak, fix it, and reset your toilet to prevent subfloor damage.
9. Radiant Floor Heating Hotspot
Water anywhere is capable of oozing out. That includes water from the sophisticated network that makes up radiant floor heating. This system of pipes heats the entire floor surface for consistent warmth when everything works correctly. However, it’s possible for one of the hot water pipes to spring a leak. If so, you’ll feel a localized hot spot in the area where the leak is. The spot will feel much warmer than the rest of the floor. If the leak continues long enough, the flooring material may buckle.
10. Aging Rusty Pipes
Pipe leaks can be caused by several factors, from poor installations to pin holes caused by friction, bad water quality, and aging pipes. Homeowners with older homes should have a regular inspection from a professional like the ones at Yellow Submarine Plumbing & Rooter. Older homes are more likely to have piping of galvanized steel, which is prone to rust and corrosion. Our leak-detection experience and equipment help locate leaky pipes so they can be repaired or replaced.
Slow leaks can go undetected for months or years. Don’t wait until you end up with water damage. Stay aware of these 10 signs of water leaks, and call us if you notice any of them. If you don’t maintain your pipes, you may have problems with insurance claims.
Put your mind at ease, and contact Yellow Submarine Plumbing & Rooter in Nanaimo for our leak detection services. We also clean drains, service water heaters and septic tanks, and more.
