If you think that all water leaks will make themselves immediately known, think again. In fact, most homeowners don’t even notice water leaks until they’ve already done extensive damage. Below are some of the signs and symptoms to watch out for so that you can catch your water leaks early and avoid the potentially expensive repairs that come along with them.
You Can Hear Water Dripping, but Can’t Pinpoint the Location
There’s nothing more annoying than the drip-drip-drip of water – except for when you can’t find the dripping. If you can hear that distinctive sound but you just can’t find the source, there’s a good chance that it’s occurring behind a wall, and this is a serious issue. To prevent serious damage, call a plumber as soon as you notice the sound. This way, you can get the source of the leak repaired before it has the opportunity to cause rot and water damage.
There are Damp Spots on Your Walls, Floors, or Ceilings
Water damage on floors, walls, and ceilings is fairly easy to spot, but only when you’re actually looking for it. Take the time every so often to visually inspect your home for the telltale signs of water damage. If you see something unusual, take action immediately and call a licensed plumber. Often, by the time that water spot is big enough to be noticeable, there’s already extensive damage.
You Can Smell Mildew
Mildew is an early-stage form of mold, and it has a very distinct odor. If you’ve ever left a load of laundry in the washing machine for too long, or if you’ve ever found a wet towel balled up in the bottom of your laundry hamper, then you’ve probably experienced the smell once or twice. Mildew only grows where the environment is nice and damp, so if you’re smelling mildew in your home, it’s a surefire sign of a leak.
Your Water Bills are Increasing
If your water bill is going up but you aren’t using more water than usual, it’s possible that you have a water leak. Many homeowners think that a drip from a faucet can’t possibly cause a noticeable difference in their bills, but that’s simply not the case. Even the slowest leaks can result in the loss of an entire gallon of water a day. If the leak is significant enough to make a dent in your bill, here’s what you can do: If you have access to your water meter, close all of the taps in your home and ensure that your water heater isn’t currently filling. In other words, make sure there is no water at all being used anywhere in your home. Then, go check the meter. If the meter is moving, you have a leak and it’s time to call a plumber.
Water leaks can range from very small to extreme, but there’s no such thing as an insignificant leak. Whether you can smell mildew in one section of your home, your water bills are on the rise, you can actually hear the water dripping, or you have water damage in your home, putting off the inevitable will only cause more damage. Call a professional plumber right away to find and fix the issue. Embrace water-saving practices to safeguard this precious resource and mitigate potential damage.