Did you know that if your pipes are leaking you might not even know? The EPA estimates that one trillion gallons of water get wasted every year due to plumbing leaks.
Much of this wasted water goes unnoticed by homeowners, but if unaddressed, even for a short period of time, it can rapidly cause serious damage to their homes and cost A LOT of money.
Don’t let a hidden leak wreak havoc on your home and utility bills. Keep reading to learn six signs of leaking pipes from our plumbing pros at Best Home Services.
Key Takeaways:
- An unexplained high water bill could mean that you have a leak.
- Sometimes you can smell leaks before you see them.
- If you notice a crack in the foundation of your home, a leaking pipe could be the culprit.
Got a Leak?
Look out for these six signs that you might have a water leak!
#1. Unexplained High Water Bills
Your water bill might go up slightly in the summer if you are watering your lawn or if your kids are playing in the sprinkler every day, but skyrocketing water bills could be the sign of something less fun— a leaking pipe.
You might see a tiny increase month after month, or you can be surprised by a huge charge all of a sudden. If the number on your bill is making you scratch your head, it’s time to call in the pros.
If you don’t fix the leak, it will continue to drain
your bank account and cause damage to your home.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on your monthly water bill. You can determine if you have a leak by using the month-to-month comparison provided by your utility company.
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#2. Visible Mildew
Even in the most spotless bathrooms, a little amount of mildew can develop in the shower. But if you see mildew outside the tub area, you might have a pipe leak.
Mildew on the walls, baseboards, ceilings, or floor in the bathroom or kitchen areas is not normal unless you have a hidden leak somewhere that is introducing moisture to the environment.
#3. Musty Smells
A leak may occasionally be detected by smell alone. You can have mildew growing in the air vents, under the floor, or inside your walls.
Water that sits stagnant in one place will produce a musty odor.
It is not normal for rooms to smell musty even if someone in your family is taking multiple showers a day. Musty odors stem from mold and mildew, so if you experience this kind of smell, it is likely from a leaking pipe.
#4. Stained and Damaged Floors, Walls, and Ceilings
A leaking pipe may not immediately show any obvious symptoms. Perhaps you see a little, discolored area on your ceiling or the outline of a watermark on the bathroom wall.
Stains on the surfaces of your home, even small ones, suggest that something is happening behind the surface. It may start as a small stain, but if the leak is not addressed, you could end up with significant damage.
Leaking pipes can cause significant damage:
- Your ceiling might sag and eventually collapse
- The wall may become soft and unable to hold weight
- A floorboard may start to squeak. It may slightly sag as you step on it. The board might eventually fall through, posing a threat to safety.
Note: If your home has poor air ventilation and the room has very high humidity, you may notice these issues without having a pipe leak. But if you notice any of the other issues noted in this article, they should not be ignored, and you should call our team at Best Home Services asap!
#5. Wet Spots
If you have a water leak, you might find wet spots. You might see puddles or mud near the foundation of your home, even if it hasn’t rained recently. Other times, they might be found inside your home.
Keep in mind that mold and mildew grow wherever there is water. Follow the clues and get the issue inspected.
#6. Cracks in the Foundation
Hairline fractures in the drywall or ceiling of your home are frequently caused by the natural settling of houses over time. The foundation of your home may be in jeopardy if you discover a sudden fracture or one that has unexpectedly widened.
As the foundation sinks, doors, windows, walls, and floors will get torn apart. Now, don’t you wish you had that leak fixed sooner?
The Cost of Water Leaks
You’ll have more problems than just a high water bill if a pipe leak in your house is not fixed. But let’s start there.
Even a tiny, gradual leak can be quite expensive. According to the EPA, each person loses around 10,000 gallons of water annually due to leaking pipes. Consider this: 300 loads of laundry could be washed with that amount of water!
An estimated one trillion gallons of water are
wasted every year due to plumbing leaks.
If the leak damages your home’s foundation, you could be looking at around $4,000 to repair it. Plus, if mold and mildew are present, remediation could cost over $6,000. Even a simple water damage repair could have you shelling out as much as $2,000!
If you think you have a leak, get it inspected and fixed by a professional plumber, like our team at Best Home Services! It could seriously save your wallet.
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Expert Leak Detection and Repair
A leaking pipe can do significant damage to your home’s structure and your bank account. Fortunately, there are signs to be on the lookout for. If you notice any of the signs outlined above, our plumbing team at Best Home Services is here to help 24/7.
From leak detection to expert repairs, our 5-star rated team is on call and ready to help with plumbing emergencies, leaks, maintenance, and more! Call us to schedule an appointment today; 844-921-2833!
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