What a Water Leak Can do Inside Your Home
Unfortunately for many homeowners, not all plumbing leaks are going to come in the form of large floods that are easily spotted. While that may sound like a good thing, small leaks can cause just as much damage over time.
In many cases they go unnoticed for weeks and sometimes months, damaging your home and costing you thousands in the process. In this article, you will see some of the essential ways that homeowners can get the upper hand on leak detection.
Plumbing Leaks Can Waste Thousands Of Gallons Of Water Per Year
Plumbing leaks come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and most importantly visibility. While a large leak can potentially cause a flood in the home, a small leak can cause just as much damage (if not more) over time. This is why it is crucial to have some understanding of what to look for when you suspect a small plumbing leak may be at work.
Small leaks in a homeowner’s plumbing can waste thousands of gallons of water and cost hundreds of dollars more per year. Not only that, but there are also detrimental health risks to be aware of, as well as potentially costly repairs to damaged fixtures outside of the plumbing itself.
The best defense against small but harmful leaks is to keep an eye on three specific things; water costs, mold, and odor. These three may not seem as though they would be able to indicate a plumbing leak, but they are the most common symptoms of the issue.
Look For Increased Water Costs
The first sign of a plumbing leak is an increase in your water costs. Generally, this will be a noticeable spike in the amount of water consumption per month. When water consumption is elevated without a cause, chances are it could be the toilet.
A toilet is behind almost 40% of a home's water consumption. When a toilet is not working properly, it will continue to run using almost double the amount of water it normally would. If you find this to be the case, a professional is the best bet for a quick and accurate solution.
In the meantime, however, you can turn the water valve off when the toilet is not in use. This will keep the toilet from running and wasting precious water down the drain. Just remember to turn the water back on before use, however.
Wet Spots Are Also Mold Spots
Wet spots on the ceiling or walls are most likely on near water pipes that run through the walls. When you detect these spots, it usually means there is a leak in the pipe located in that area. Unfortunately, the leak is not the only issue in this case. The water spots are going to produce different types of mold and mildew that can be harmful to your health.
There are many health concerns associated with exposure to mold. Some of the symptoms include:
-
Sore and itchy throat.
- Coughing and wheezing.
- General increased breathing problems.
- Increased allergies.
- Sore, itchy, and watery eyes.
- Nose bleeds.
There are several other symptoms that can occur; especially when conditions are already present.
Mold Also Causes Musty Odors
Another unfortunate side effect of mold is the musty odor it gives off. This is caused by any time water is left standing while in contact with any porous material. The musty odor will affect the olfactory senses the most; meaning the sense of smell.
While a musty odor can be hard to live with, getting rid of it can also be very difficult. When a musty odor has found its way into clothing or any textiles, washing it several times can help, but usually the item is thrown away.
When the musty odor attaches itself to the walls, ceiling, and floor of a home, the homeowner can face costly re-construction to correct the issue.
Luckily, the musty odor, along with the health risks, can all be prevented by being aware of the warning signs of plumbing leaks. If you detect a musty odor in a specific location, call your local experts to investigate the problem.
G.F. Bowman, Inc.
G.F. Bowman, Inc. has been the plumbing and indoor comfort experts for over 50 years in the Cleona, PA area. With a professional plumber on call, there is no problem too big or too small. As community leaders, G.F. Bowman, Inc. is dedicated to the well being of each and every resident.
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