5 Signs of Water Leaks in Your Home

October 11, 2022

Water systems are an essential feature in any home. However, the cost of installing and maintaining the water systems can be high. Therefore, the last thing you likely want is a water leak that causes damage to your property.

Early identification of water leaks is vital. This blog post will discuss the signs of water leaks in your home.

1. Unusual Sounds Around the House

No appliance or feature in your home should produce a gurgling, dripping, and bubbling sound. If you hear these noises from the pipes, then you likely have a problem. This problem could be a bathroom, toilet, and sink water leak.

A faulty cistern is often the cause of water leaks in the bathroom. This problem may become apparent when you place food coloring in the toilet tank and observe the toilet after half an hour. If the food coloring appears in the toilet bowl, leaks usually exist between the bowl and the tank.

2. Foul Smells

Bad smells in your house may be an indication of water leaks. The smells typically arise due to the growth of mildew and mold in the house. Mildew and mold will thrive in places with water leaks.

Mold can start to grow within one to two days after the water begins to leak. However, you will usually only notice the mold after several days. Therefore, a better solution is to be on the lookout for bad smells.

3. Unusually High Water Bills

Your water bills may vary monthly, depending on the year's season. However, your annual water usage should be fairly constant yearly. If the water bills suddenly begin to rise, the problem might be water leakage.

According to the EPA, the average family of four people will use about 12,000 gallons of water each month. This amount may increase in the summer when you irrigate the lawn or garden. Even minor water leakages can lead to the loss of up to 10,000 gallons of water within a one-year period. Therefore, always monitor your water bills for any unexpected changes.

Your home's water meter is underneath a manhole cover near the road or on the back or side of your house. This location is typically near where the main supply line connects to your home.

To check the meter, switch off every water faucet within the house. Record the water meter reading and repeat the process after a few hours. A water leak exists in your home if a discrepancy exists between the two readings. You can also turn off specific home valves to pinpoint the leak's location.

4. Damaged Wallpaper or Paint

The presence of blistering paint or stains on the wallpaper may be a sign of a water leak. These stains and blisters may also appear on the floor. You can easily identify them because they look like sponges and expand quickly.

The blistering may happen when water enters the spaces between the paint and the wall. This water weakens the paint's stickiness. The paint will become loose and start to fall off.

5. Water Puddles in Your Lawn

Most water leakages will happen inside the house, but outdoor leakages can also occur. This may be due to the cracking of sewage lines. You will identify outdoor leakages by the presence of unusual puddles in the yard or the existence of dead grass patches.

Plumbing problems may be the cause of water leaks in your home. Fortunately, All The Time Plumbing can identify the cause of the leak and do the necessary repairs. We have solved plumbing challenges for over 15 years. Contact us to get world-class service at a fair price.

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