How Do You Know If You Have A Leak

How Do You Know If You Have A Leak

Having a water leak in your walls can be extremely nerve-wracking. Unidentified water leaks can cause significant damage unless they’re fixed ASAP. Even then, it could cost you a pretty penny. You don’t truly know the extent of the damage until you find it, and determining where the damage lies can be half the trouble. Here are some things to look for to help identify the leak location within your pipes:

Mold and Mildew

Not only can water leaks cause damage to your home, but they can do damage to your health, too. Early stages of mold may appear as a cluster of black or brown dots - be on the lookout. Along with mold comes musty smells. Thick drywall can absorb water, so even if you don’t see any mold or mildew, be on the lookout for any foul smells. A musty smell is the first sign of a water leak and is beneficial in identifying leaks that are invisible to the eye.

Discolored or Warped Areas

The occasional water stain is common in bathrooms and kitchens, but water stains on walls and floors outside of these areas can be a sign of a leaking pipe. Water stains on walls will appear washed out and of a lighter color than the paint/wallpaper. Your walls might curve outward or be very droopy in a bubbled texture. If water has damaged the floor, it might feel spongy when you walk on it.

Wet Areas

Again, having water leaks in your kitchen or bathroom is not unusual, but having wet areas in other areas is suspicious. If the area is continuously wet, it could be a sign your pipe has burst. The easiest way to tell that you have a leak is if the wet area is located near the wall - it would look like the wall is sweating.

Dripping Sounds

Do you hear faint dripping sounds right after you turn off the faucet? This is an indicator that you might have a leaking pipe. If you have iron pipes, it will be harder to hear leaks than if you have PVC pipes.

High Water Bill

Having an unusually high water bill is a strong indicator that you have a water leak somewhere in your house. Pipes are prone to freeze and burst during the cold winter months, which could explain the increase in price. If your water bill has skyrocketed recently, give your local plumber, ASAP Plumbing, a call.

Water leaks are serious issues that can add up to a high cost to fix. By using these identifiers, you can be on the lookout for possible water leaks. However before you make the drastic decision of cutting into your drywall searching for leaks, contact a skilled, professional plumber who can identify and fix the leak for you.

If you suspect you have a water leak in your walls, contact ASAP Plumbing immediately at (228) 865-2727 or visit www.plumbinggulfportms.com and request a free estimate on our leak detection services! Our team of experts uses moisture meters and special cameras to detect leaks inside walls. We also handle services including installation, repair and full water heater replacement.