Tips About Water Leak Detection for Homeowners

While it is true that it's a smart move to employ a plumber to take care of fixing your water leak problems, you can save yourself a lot of time and money if you can do a little initial investigation.

The problem is that a water leak can cause a great deal of damage, so time is of the essence to determine the cause of the leak. It can also help your plumber determine the right solution more quickly.

There are times when you just can't seem to figure it out. Don't stress. We've got special equipment that can pinpoint cause and effect when it comes to water leaks.

The Consequences of Water Leaks

Don't think a small amount of water can be that problematic? Think again. A slow trickle will waste all kinds of water.

Not only are you increasing your carbon footprint, but all that wasted water will also increase your water bills.

When your home's components (like framing, beams and other important structures) encounter moisture, they can rot.

This can compromise your home's safety, which is expensive to fix.

Water damage will also peel wallpaper and paint, destroy your furniture, warp your wood floors and lift carpeting.

And then there is the question of mold growth.

Excessive moisture will cause mold to grow, which is dangerous for your family to breathe in.

Mold is one of the more serious byproducts of a leak, and should not be taken lightly.

Signs of a Water Leak

Beyond seeing pooling water and moisture accumulating on your ceiling, floors, and walls, there are other telltale signs that you've got a water leak.

The most prevalent is if your water meter continues to register increases even long after being turned off.

To trace back the source of the leak, try a few things.

To see if you've got a leak in your home's foundation, walk about your basement in your bare feet.

Do you feel warm or cold spots? Do you hear water rushing even when it is turned off?

Look underneath cabinetry to see if your sink is the source. Is there moisture on the piping? Is there a musty smell or corrosion on the pipe? Is there mold growing?

All these suggest you have a leak in your sink area.

Preventative Steps

Did you know that some of the most common types of water leaks can be prevented with maintenance?

With your washing machine, inspect the hoses and make sure that the date of installation is noted. They need to be replaced every 5-7 years.

It's a good investment to upgrade to stainless steel hoses, which are much less prone to breakage. Also, put a drip pan under your washing machine to catch leaking water.

Replace aging pipes with PVC piping which is much less likely to be compromised and leak.