Ten thousand gallons a year – that’s about three months’ worth for the average household to drink, use in showers, dishes, laundry, outdoor watering needs, and more. And yet, the average household waste that same amount of water is only wasted every year due to leaks in their home.
If you have water leaks in your home, you’ll want to resolve them as soon as possible. While some water leaks are obvious such as a leaky faucet or a running toilet, other leaks are hidden. That said, no plumbing leaks are ever truly hidden and will start showing these tell-tale signs:
1. Wet Spots And Stains
Wet spots on floors, ceilings, and walls may be difficult to notice sometimes, particularly if you only have minor leaking. It’ll easily dry up before you notice it, or you may think it’s just a spill and shrug it off. That said, if it occurs more frequently and at the same spot, then you need to investigate further.
Fortunately, when a wet patch has dried up and returned consistently, there will be a more visible sign -staining and discoloring. Especially if it’s a white or light-colored surface, the area turns yellow to darker colors from the water.
When water stains occur, you need to call a reliable plumber like Dan’s Plumbing and others to take a look at the potential damage and help resolve your issue to prevent further damage to your property. They’re a trusted plumbing service in Sydney, Australia, and you can find satisfied clients vouching for their service on review websites such as the Dan’s Plumbing TrueLocal page.
2. Mold And Mildew Growth
This is probably one of the most worrying signs that you have a leaky pipe somewhere in your home. If there’s moisture, mold and mildew are likely to grow. Too much mold growth can also cause a stale, musty odor.
Mildew and mold are most likely to grow on water spots and stains mentioned above. So, other than yellow-colored stains, the surface may also have black and white spots, which indicate mold and mildew growth.
More than structural damage and cosmetic issues to your home, mold, and mildew are most alarming since they can cause health problems or worsen existing conditions such as asthma or allergies. So, whether your home smells musty despite cleaning every day or when you notice mold accumulating in a certain spot, make sure to call a qualified plumber right away to assess the issue.
3. Higher Water Bills
A higher water bill than usual is the earliest warning sign of a plumbing leak in your home. Unless your water provider increases their prices, your bill should be about the same as the previous months, with a small difference.
That said, if your water bill has crept up recently, then this could indicate that there’s a leak somewhere in your plumbing system. Visible leaks may originate in your toilets, faucets, and main water supply. Meanwhile, concealed leaks from broken appliances and damaged or corroded pipes behind the walls can be located by a licensed plumber.
4. Soft And Warped Wood Flooring
Water leaks and damage is obvious when it affects your wood flooring. Excessive moisture is a major enemy of wood. Small, consistent leaks and moisture can cause buckled or warped floors. Meanwhile, wood that’s become permanently wet will become soft and spongy to the touch. If you apply pressure, then it’ll give way under your fingers.
So, if you notice unevenness in your flooring, then it’s best to assume that the layers beneath your floor are harboring moisture. It’s best to inspect and resolve it right away to help save your floors and you from costly floor replacement.
5. Poor Water Pressure
Is the water pressure weaker than usual when you get drinking water from your kitchen sink or turn on the shower? Most homeowners put this off as a sign that there’s a fault somewhere in the local plumbing system out in the street.
However, it may also be a sign that you have a plumbing leak on your property. If your plumbing system’s water pressure is a consistent problem, take the time to speak to your water provider. If they don’t know of any potential leaks in your area, then it’s best to check your property’s plumbing system.
Takeaway
No one wants to lose money through their plumbing pipes, not to mention the thousands of dollars worth of property damage that a hidden leak could be doing to your property. That said, we hope that this article has given you an idea of the warning signs that something’s amiss in your plumbing system.
When you see these signs, don’t hesitate to call your local plumber right away to do a full inspection of your plumbing system and determine the culprit.
