Help Us Help You: Spotting Leaks
You are never going to avoid each and every plumbing problem that could possibly develop with your system. It’s just not possible. That doesn’t mean that you should just throw your hands up and accept the fact that there is a plumbing emergency always looming off in the distance, though. You can still help to mitigate any damage and headaches resulting from the plumbing problems that you will eventually face. How? By giving us an early heads up to problems.
That begs the question of how you can do that, of course. The good news is that we’re going to tell you how, today! Because the most common plumbing problems that homeowners encounter is leaky pipes, we’re going to focus on this in today’s post. Specifically, we are going to focus on how you can recognize these problems and detect leaks early on so that you can intervene before damage is extensive.
You’ll Be Able to See (Some) Evidence of Leaks
What’s the most common call we receive regarding leaks? Usually something along the lines of “Help, I just found a puddle on the floor by my _______!” or “Can you come now? I have a big water stain on the _______!” If you do see any such signs of leaks, you should definitely be treating them as a top priority. Why? Because, in all likelihood, it’s not an immediate alert.
By the time you notice that you have visual clues of a leak, there is a good chance the leak has been developing for some time. That means that damage may already be occurring. So don’t just write it off as a fluke, or assume that someone spilled some water or didn’t towel off well. Always play it safe!
You Can Sometimes Hear Leaks
No, we don’t mean with sonic listening devices. We mean with your plain old ears. Unless you have a bubbling brook nearby and your window open, you really shouldn’t be hearing the sound of running water when there is none in use in your home. If no one’s showering, doing the laundry, etc., but you still hear running water, then you need to dial our number ASAP. What you’re hearing may well be a leak. And it may well be serious.
It’s certainly possible that you hear the dripping of a leaky pipe somewhere in your house. That’s still a leak, and should still be a priority. However, you may also hear more of a consistent running sound. That could indicate a slab leak, which can do damage to your home’s foundation. Best to let us determine the source of the sound so that we can resolve the problem promptly.
Keep an Eye on Your Bill!
This is something that too many homeowners overlook. It won’t apply to every leak but, if your leak is in a supply pipe, you will see your water bill creep up. Don’t just write off a spike in your water bill. You may be looking at higher repair bills as a result!
