We all know that plumbing leaks can cause serious damage to household properties and cost homeowners valuable time and money. From structural damage and ruined carpets, to flooded backyards and discoloured walls, plumbing leaks can end up costing you thousand of dollars in repair bills.
But spotting a water leak isn’t always as easy keeping an eye out for gushing water from a cracked pipe. In fact most water leaks start small and can go undetected for some time. Identifying a potential plumbing leak early on can prevent serious damage to your property and help save you money. Here are some of the top signs to look out for if you think you have a leak.
1. Increase In Your Water Bill
While your water bill will always fluctuate, if you notice a large spike in your bill it might be time to start investigating. Try to keep track of your bills and if you do suspect an excessive spike, compare it to the same month as the previous year so you can understand if it’s a season change or something more serious.
2. Foundation Cracks
If you live in an older house you won’t be too surprised to find cracks in your home’s foundation. But if you start to notice new formed or significant cracks it could be time to call your plumber. Water that is continually leaking out of your pipes can weaken foundations and structural components, causing cracks in the foundations and walls of your home.
3. You Have Low Water Pressure
There’s nothing better than jumping in for a long hot shower. But if you’re starting noticing that your shower pressure (or tap pressure) isn’t what it used to be, it could be red flag that you have a plumbing leak. If you’ve noticed a decrease in water pressure throughout your entire home have a chat with your neighbours to see if they are experiencing something similar; it could mean that you potentially have a leak on your water main.
4. There’s a Soft Spot In Your Backyard
If you’re finding that one section of your lawn is significantly softer than the rest or is starting to sink, it could indicate that you have an issue with an underground sewer pipe. In this case you’ll also most likely smell the problem, which will have you on the phone to plumber in no time.
5. You’ve Noticed Some Discolouration On Your Walls
Most water leaks are small slow leaks that often go unnoticed for long periods of time. The first signs of these leaks are discolouration on walls and ceilings. Keep an eye out for dark rings, yellow, black or brown spots, and peeling or bubbling wallpaper.
6. There’s a Musty Smell You Can’t Get Rid Of
While a musty smell throughout your home can be the result of heavy rainfall or the natural humid air, if you’ve noticed one room in your house has a particularly strong musty smell it could mean there’s a leak causing damage. Water that is leaking is one of the main culprits of household mould, which not only causes that mildew smell but is also a serious health concern.
Household mould can trigger allergies including asthma, bring on coughs and colds, and cause skin irritations, making it really important to get your home fixed as soon as you suspect mould is growing.
Think you might have a small leak on your property? Give us a call today. We have afters hours plumbers available 24 hours, 7 days a week to answer your emergency call.
