Plumbing leaks are probably the worst maintenance problem to have in your home, especially when those leaks occur in inaccessible areas of the house. Because of the vast size of your plumbing system, there are several opportunities for leaks to occur.
Hairline cracks and pinhole leaks, for instance, can happen in water lines that are embedded within the walls and flooring of your home. According to Premier Property Management, these hidden leaks may discharge enormous volumes of water into the structures of your building without being detected.
This problem can persist for weeks or months, until the damage becomes so severe that it eventually surfaces in the more prominent areas of your home. These types of leaks are responsible for wasting billions of gallons of water and millions of dollars every year.
What are the signs that you may have an undetected plumbing leak in your home?
8 signs of hidden water leaks in your home
Unexpectedly high water bills
If your home’s water bill has suddenly increased without a corresponding increase in your daily water usage and the water company has also not increased its rates, the only reasonable explanation is that you have a hidden leak in your home. To double-check, you may want to ask your neighbors if they have the same issue.
Low water pressure
Low water pressure can result from heavy buildup of mineral deposits inside your water pipes. The other probable cause of this problem is a major leak in your main water line, siphoning pressure out of the pipes. Once again, check if your neighbors have the same issues.
Discolored or smelly water
Corrosion can cause this problem. Old and rusty water pipes may add a brown, yellow, or reddish tint to the water. However, it is also possible that a leak in your underground water pipes is allowing soil to enter the pipes and contaminate your water supply. This could be the reason for the discolored and smelly water in your home.
Sound of running water
If the broken pipe is inside the walls of your home, you may hear a sound of water gushing from the damaged pipe section. As bad as it sounds, this is one of the best signs of plumbing leaks in your home, because you can instantly tell that there is a problem. However, this sign only happens with major pipe breaks, not small drips, which often cause just as much damage.
Wet spots and water pooling
If you repeatedly find pools of water in a particular spot in your home, the likely causes are a leaking roof or leaky plumbing. But finding the exact location of the leak can be tricky because water often flows from the source of a leak to pool somewhere else. Another sign of leaky plumbing is a perpetually wet spot on your walls, flooring, or ceiling.
Musty odors
Musty odors are a telling sign of mold growth in your home. If mold is growing in your home, a water leak has created the right conditions for it to occur. To thrive, mold needs a dark, dank spot with lots of organic materials. Hidden water leaks help to create those exact conditions.
Peeling paint and damaged drywall
Tiny leaks in water pipes installed behind your drywall can steadily drip water into the walls and insulation, causing sections of your walls to become weak. This problem can also create bubbles underneath wallpaper or paint, or cause them to peel. You may also find that your wall paint will become darker.
Soggy yard and lush vegetation
If the leaking pipe is underground, it can cause sections of your yard to be perpetually wet. Any grass or plants in this part of the property will be greener than the plants in the rest of the yard. This is because that section of soil is getting more water than the surrounding areas.
How to locate a leak
If you’re experiencing any of these troubles in your home, how do you find the leaking pipe? Depending on the size of the leak and the location of the water pipe, this can be challenging. But here are some steps you can follow to locate the leak:
Inspect all hidden areas
If your water bill is high or you have low water pressure but there are no clear signs of hidden leaks in the home, begin by inspecting the hidden areas of your home, such as the back of appliances, behind the toilet, and in the basement.
Perform a water meter test
Turn off all the water inside your home and check the water meter to see if it is still moving. If the counter continues to read, you have a leaking pipe in your home. If you turn off the main water shut-off valve and the water meter stops reading, the leak is inside the house. If not, the leak is in your main water line.
Hire a professional plumber
How do you pinpoint the leaky pipe? For this, you will need the help of a professional plumber. Professional plumbers have the tools and techniques to detect water leaks in your home, even if those leaks are underground or beneath a paved surface. A good plumber will also recommend the most effective solutions.
