Finding hidden leaks before they can cause further damage

It is a case in which what you do not know is capable of hurting you. A hidden plumbing leak can cause major damage before you even know it’s there. Leaks happen in plumbing systems in homes all the time, but usually enough water ends up on the floor somewhere that homeowners know there is a problem. However, occasionally, a leak can occur deep in your walls or hidden in a ceiling – a leak that you can’t see until it gets so bad that an area of ​​the wall or ceiling gets soaked and collapses. By then you have a major problem to fix, so you definitely don’t want to wait that long to find the problem. How do you find what you can’t see? Read on for some tips on how to locate leaks in your pipes.

1. Keep your eyes peeled for stains on your walls or floors that look different. They may even show slight discoloration or bulging. Points like this are a clear indication that something strange is happening underneath them.

2. When the house is quiet, listen. Do you hear water running or dripping? If no one is doing laundry or bathing in your home, you may have found a leak. Sound just doesn’t happen unless there is running water somewhere. Keep using your ears to identify where the sound is coming from.

3. If you notice a crack in the foundation of your house, don’t just attribute it to the settlement of the house. It could be a sign that there is a water leak.

4. A musty odor that never goes away may mean you have water hidden somewhere in your home that you can’t see. Use your nose this time to sniff out where the problem area might be and check there for other signs of a leak.

5. If your water bill suddenly jumps, it could indicate something is leaking. Rather than yelling at your child to take longer showers, consider that they could have a much more serious problem.

Once you’ve found a potential leak, call a plumber right away. You will be able to determine if there really is a leak and will have the skills to repair it before it can cause further damage. Keep in mind that hidden leaks will likely not be easy or inexpensive to repair. It may mean that part of the wall or ceiling will need to be removed to give the plumber access to the problem area and allow him to fix it. Even so, however, a leak is not going to go away. It’s only going to get worse, so it’s better to tackle the problem head-on right now than wait until it becomes much more serious.