Your home plumbing is a complex system, so there are many areas where something can go wrong. Unfortunately, plumbing leaks happen occasionally, and sometimes they spring up in hidden areas behind your walls or floors. knowing when to call for help is necessary to protect your home’s integrity and your family’s help, not to mention your plumbing system.

TOP SIGNS OF A WATER LEAK

As a homeowner, it’s your responsibility to monitor the usage of your plumbing system and keep an eye out for any potential leakage issues that may occur. Sometimes, a leak is obvious, such as water leaking on your floor or you hear running water when no taps are on. However, in other cases, the leak could be in a hidden area of your home, like behind an interior wall. To help you better know when you have a problem, we will discuss some of the most common symptoms of a household water leak below.

UNUSUALLY HIGH WATER BILLS

Unless you have an explanation, like filling up your pool or a string of house guests taking long showers, an inexplicable increase in your water usage likely indicates that you have a leak somewhere. In most cases, the leak will be in a hidden area you don’t readily see.

CEILING OR WALL DAMPNESS OR DISCOLORATION

Another key indicator of a water leak is dampness or discoloration on your walls or ceiling. The drywall will be damp to the touch, and the paint can start peeling. The discoloration will likely show up in the form of yellow water stains. By the time you see stains, it’s possible the water from the leak has already penetrated deep into your walls. 

MOLD AND MILDEW GROWTH

Whenever moisture is kept in a dark area, it can foster the growth of mold and mildew. These growths will likely show up under sinks or on your ceiling. Once it starts, it can grow fast. Since mold and mildew can make your home unsafe, should be remedied as quickly as possible to prevent health problems.

TESTING FOR LEAKS

One of the most effective ways to test for leaks is to pay attention to any of the signs we went over above. Look under sinks and follow exposed water lines to see if there’s any dripping or wetness on the piping itself. Listening for water drips can also be a great way to determine where the leak is coming from.

If you suspect your toilet tank leaks into the bowl, food coloring can be the solution. Add some food coloring to the water in the tank, but don’t let anyone flush it for a while. If the water in the bowl turns the same color, you definitely have a leak in your toilet tank.

Another tip is to shut off all the water in your home and head to your water meter. Write down the usage number. Give it a few hours without running any plumbing fixtures or appliances. If the number increases on your water meter, it clearly indicates that you have a leak somewhere.

PROFESSIONAL LEAK DETECTION SERVICE

If you can’t find the source of your water leak, call for our professional leak detection service. Our licensed plumbers have devices to assist them in detecting the source of your water leak. These include acoustic listening devices, moisture meters, and thermal imaging cameras. The advantage of these professional devices is that they’re a non-invasive way of locating the source of your leak in a highly accurate manner.

PROMPT DETECTION AND REPAIR IS NECESSARY

It’s important to note that water damage can be very costly for homeowners. As soon as you notice something is amiss, it’s vital to invest in getting the leak detected and repaired. You never want to let a water leak go on, as it only takes a very short amount of time for water to damage your belongings and structural components of your home.

EXPERT LEAK DETECTION SERVICE

Affinity Plumbing and Water Conditioning offers leak detection service for the Shakopee, MN area. We can also help with all your water conditioner, plumbing, water heater, and backflow testing needs. Call us today to book your appointment.