Signs Of A Water Leak
A hidden water leak in your home can cause thousands of dollars in water damage before you ever know that you have a problem. But in most cases, there are some telltale signs that something is going on that you need to look into. However, most homeowners are unaware of the sings of a water leak. Learning a few very basic indications of hidden water leaks could save you a lot of money and even help you avoid a very serious health risk.
When you are checking your home for signs of a water leak, you will need to use all of your senses. The first indication of a leak could be the sound of dripping water. Not all leaks will make any noise. But if the water is dripping from a pipe or running down a beam and dripping onto another surface, you will be able to hear the drips.
The next sense you will use is your nose. Everyone has been in a musty space that smells of mildew and mold. If you are smelling an odd musty scent, then there is a good chance that there is a leak that has remained hidden for some time and is now promoting the growth of mold or mildew. In some cases, a person with allergies will find that an area with a water leak and mold is a trigger for sneezing, watery eyes, and coughing.
Finally, you need to visually inspect your home for any signs of water damage due to a hidden leak. These signs can include:
- Discoloration on the walls, ceilings or floors that is yellowish or brown
- Bubbling paint
- Bulging or peeling wallpaper
- Bulging drywall or stucco
- Warped or heaved wood floors
- Loose linoleum flooring
- Soggy or discolored carpeting
If you find any indications of a water leak in your home, fast action is the best way to save yourself time, money, and frustration. Once there are any indications of a water leak, there is already damage being done to your home. And the sooner the leak is professionally repaired, the faster the water damage can be corrected. Repairing the water damage is almost as important as fixing the leak because these wet materials are where mold and mildew can begin to grow. Once there is any mold growth, you could be facing a much more costly professional clean up and health risks to you and your family.
Exposure to toxic black mold can lead:
- Sneezing
- Running nose
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Eye irritation
- Skin rash
These issues can become more severe for people with other respiratory conditions or specific allergies to mold and mildew.
Even if you have not spotted any of the signs of a water leak in your home, it is always a good idea to be proactive. If you own an older home, it is a good idea to check your water meter every few months to rule out the possibility of a new hidden water leak in your home. You do this by turning off all of the water inside and outside your home. Then look at the water meter and note the numbers. Wait an hour, without using any water, and recheck the numbers on the meter. If the numbers have changed at all, then call (301) 278-8786 to schedule an appointment with the professional leak detection team at A Better Plumber. Remember, even a small leak can create a massive amount of water damage. And no leak has ever fixed itself, so call in the pros.
When you think that you could have a hidden water leak in your home, only trust a professional leak detection specialist with the task of locating and repairing the leak. While a handyman might claim to be able to locate and fix the leak, he is going to do more damage looking for the leak. A leak detection specialist will use non-invasive technology to find the leak without tearing out walls and floors. And once the leak is located and repaired by a professional, you will have a full warranty on the repair.
Don’t let a small hidden water leak in your home become a significant problem. Call the leak detection specialists at (301) 278-8786 and know we will get the job done quickly and cost-effectively. And all of our work is backed by the A Better Plumber 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.
