If leaking pipes go undetected, they can create unwelcome costs for homeowners. These costs, though, include more than just your monthly water bill and emergency repair services. It is not uncommon for residents with leaking pipes to end up with severe property damage that costs thousands of dollars to deal with.
It is estimated that as many as 10% of residential buildings have unidentified water leaks. If you find yourself in this situation, then dozens of gallons of water will go to waste each day.
Considering how big of a threat leaking pipes present to local homeowners, it is crucial that you understand how to detect potential water leaks in your place of residence.
1. Loud Plumbing
Dripping noises that never seem to cease are a cause for concern. Meanwhile, something as small as your pipes’ air settling is normal. Another noisy plumbing issue you can detect easily is the sound of your home’s toilet constantly refilling, even though its last flushing was hours ago.
If you observe that your toilets never stop taking in new water, then a water leak is very likely. In addition to the toilets’ noise levels, you’ll often hear your home’s pipes grumbling as well.
2. Rust
If there is too much dampness within your home’s walls, then it can cause rusted metal. One easy-to-spot sign of this is rusty nails in your building’s walls. This dampness may very well be the result of your pipes leaking. If you don’t treat this plumbing issue promptly, then your home’s foundation could also be at risk.
Another metal surface that will rust is the pipes themselves. Old pipes, in particular, experience rusting in the presence of leaks. This is due to them being constructed out of galvanized steel. Whether you spot rusty nails or rusty pipes, it is wise to have In & Out Plumbing & Construction inspect the area of concern.
3. Your Ceiling Is Sagging
A sagging ceiling should alarm any homeowner. This situation typically occurs because there is an untreated leak between a building’s floors. The more extreme and visible the sagging in your home’s ceiling, the larger and more severe your pipe’s leak is.
What if you noticed a smaller amount of sagging in your ceiling that took a substantial amount of time to develop? In this case, a leak in your pipe is releasing a lower volume of water. Over time, however, it still poses a threat of collapsing that area of your home’s ceiling, which will leave you with a frustrating amount of damage to handle.
4. Weak Water Pressure
What does your residence’s water pressure look like when you hop in the shower or fill a glass of water? If you consistently observe weak water pressure, then this can have multiple causes. If the water main is at fault, then the issue is not on your property.
In other cases, though, this type of decrease in water pressure can be indicative of a leak in your building’s pipe system. Discussing this issue with your water company will give you insight as to whether the problem is related to your pipes.
5. Your Home’s Paint Is Peeling
One of the early signs of water leaks is peeling paint. When leaks take place, they create a significant amount of dampness within the walls. This, in turn, causes a coat of paint to become less adhesive to its walls.
If the area is still wet, you may see your walls’ paint peeling off in large strips. If it has been able to dry, on the other hand, then you will often see cracks and blisters in a coat of interior paint. When this happens, your home’s walls will become rather flaky. Deal with the underlying problem as soon as you can to prevent the leak from becoming worse.
6. Softening Wood
If the wood in your building feels rather spongy when you touch it, then this should signal to you that it has been wet for a long period. It is a very bad sign if the wood starts to give way when you press on it.
The reason that your home’s wood begins to soften is because it absorbs a large amount of water. The water damage in this case is severe, and it’s crucial that you get an experienced plumbing professional to take a look at it as soon as you can. The softening of wood is particularly common near bathroom fixtures.
7. Mold and Mildew
Damp environments are places where you will often find mold and mildew. Certain kinds of mold can even begin to grow within a day or two. When an area of your home has been wet for a long time, there is a strong likelihood that mold and mildew will be present. If you see them, then it’s possible there’s a water leak.
When it comes to mold, one of the biggest risks is your family’s health. Mold is known to provoke respiratory issues. Aside from the threat to your health, mold also brings with it an unpleasant odor.
8. Unsightly Stains
Wet areas on your walls or ceiling, after drying, will usually present some level of discoloration. If these surfaces were originally white, then you are likely to see yellow in that area instead. This discoloration is often in the same places where mold and mildew grow due to leaking pipes.
9. Wet Spots
Do you see wet spots on your walls, ceiling or floor? If so, then you shouldn’t neglect them. If you can’t find an obvious leak in the area, but there are concerning water spots, then your building’s infrastructure could be at risk.
If a leak is minor, then these water spots may dry before you have time to recognize them. In this case, you may mistakenly believe it’s due to a spill instead of a leak.
In your yard, this same situation can lead to grass growing higher in one specific area. An underground pipe leak could be the culprit in this case.
10. Unreasonably High Water Bills
One telltale sign that your building’s pipes may have some undetected leaks is a noticeable increase in your monthly water bills. If you are confused as to why your water bill is higher than it used to be, then it’s time to begin searching for a leak on your property.
It’s also helpful to compare your recent water bills with older ones. Does your usage appear higher than it previously was? If you don’t remember using any more water, then a leaking pipe could explain this unusual pattern.
Our Experts
For local, reliable plumbing services in San Francisco, In & Out Plumbing & Construction has your back. We are family owned and operated, and our qualified plumbing professionals are committed not only to top-notch service but also to honesty. We use cutting-edge technology, and both homeowners and businesses in our community have trusted us for their plumbing needs since 1999.
Contact In & Out Plumbing & Construction today to discuss your building’s potential leaks.
