250 gallons of water can leak out of a tiny 1/8-inch pipe crack. That’s a lot of wasted water and damage to your home.
Here are 5 signs to watch out for that suggest you have a plumbing leak.
1. Extremely High Water Bill
If you open your water bill one month and are shocked at the total price, chances are you have a leaky pipe.
For the most part, your family’s water usage will remain pretty consistent from month-to-month. There may be a spike in the summer if you water your lawn or fill up a pool. But if your usage has been average, a high bill is a big clue that you need to deal with your toilet or sink leaking.
2. Musty Smell
A dank, unpleasant smell in your home is not nice. If you can’t pinpoint where it is coming from, chances are that you have some mold or mildew growth.
Mildew and mold can begin to grow in as little as 48 hours. Then, after a few more days spores start to colonize. But you won’t be able to see mold or mildew until after two weeks.
As you know, mold is hazardous to your health. You want to get rid of it as soon as possible because it spreads so quickly. Plus, it causes damage to your walls, ceilings, and floors.
Call your local plumbers if you suspect that the funky smell in your house is due to a leaky pipe.
3. Damaged or Sagging Walls, Ceilings or Flooring
Another sign of plumbing leaks is if you have any bubbling, warping or staining on any of your home’s ceilings, walls or floors.
This type of damage is common if there are hidden plumbing leaks in those areas.
Keep in mind that humidity can cause these issues as well. But if the humidity levels in your home are fine, then you should suspect a leaky pipe.
4. Damp Spots
A plumbing leak usually causes damp spots in the surrounding area. So if you find moist or damp floorboards or ceilings, you may be dealing with a leaky pipe.
Look for new water spots in the ceiling or wet spots along your baseboards or floors.
5. Foundation Cracks
Over the years, a home’s foundation tends to settle. Eventually, cracks can appear running along the foundation.
Yet, if you start finding multiple cracks in a short amount of time, it could be due to a leaky pipe.
Leaking water can weaken your home’s foundation which leads to cracks in your foundation or walls.
Don’t Ignore a Plumbing Leak
You should never ignore a suspected plumbing leak. Not only does it cause your water bill to go up, but it causes more and more
damage to your home the longer it is left unfixed.
A licensed plumber will be able to figure out where the leak is coming from and isolate the problem. So make sure you book one in as soon as possible.
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