Are you one of those people who think only flooding or a burst pipe can cause water damage to your house? Sadly, this is far from reality!
If not treated, even the small water line leakages can be equally disastrous, both for your house and your pocket; they can damage your pipes, walls, ceilings and floors, which will require costly repairs.
Leaky pipes are also the key reason for water wastage. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, household pipe leaks are responsible for the loss of about 1 trillion gallons of water every year.
While detecting leaking water pipes can be hard because they are often concealed behind walls or under flooring, there are telltale signs that can help you find out the leaky pipes in your house before they can cause significant damage.
Want to know how to spot a leaky pipe in your house? Here are the most common warning signs of a leaky pipe that most of us tend to ignore or fail to notice:
1. Musty Smell
Know that peculiar smell that we generally associate with attics or closed basements?
It is the smell of mold and mildew and it is not normal for your house to have that smell. So, if your room smell musty, it is highly likely that that there is mold growing somewhere due to moisture or stagnant water and a leaky pipe is most probably the culprit.
2. Visible Mold Growth
It is normal to spot a little mold growth in the shower because the area is regularly exposed to water and remain wet or damp most of the times. But, if there is mold growing anywhere outside the shower, it could be the sign of a leaky pipe.
Leakages in water pipes often result in mold and mildew growth on floors, baseboards, ceilings, and walls, anywhere in your house where there is a water pipe.
3. Damaged Walls, Ceilings and Floors
Damage to the walls, ceilings, and floors doesn’t happen overnight. It often starts as a stain or a dirty spot, but if the leaky pipe that is the culprit behind this is not fixed it can lead to significant damage.
As moisture seeps into the structure of your house, you will notice loose tiles, extra creaky floorboard, peeling paint, and at worst, cracks in the walls and ceilings.
4. A Significant Increase in Water Bill
While a little fluctuation in the water bill is expected, especially when the usage increases as the weather gets hot, an increase in the water bill without any apparent reason is most probably the result of a leaking water pipe.
Keep an eye on your water bill and do not ignore any unexplainable increase.
Watch out for these warning signs and call a professional plumber as soon as you notice any of them.
Looking for a plumbing service in Gilbert, AZ?
Call 480-535-0728 to get your pipelines inspected by an experienced plumber from Sterling Services any time, any day; we are available 24/7 to deal with your plumbing emergencies.
Summary
While detecting leaking water pipes can be hard because they are often concealed behind walls or under flooring, there are telltale signs that can help you find out the leaky pipes in your house before they can cause significant damage.
The article highlights some of the most common warning signs of a leaky pipe that most of us tend to ignore or fail to notice.