Leaks mean bad news, for you and for your family. Water leaks in your home will not only compromise the structural integrity of your house but can also put your loved one’s health in danger.
Fortunately, we’ve looked up some of the most common signs that you need a professional leak detector. Let’s check them out.
1. High water bills and a running meter
Checking your water bill can be a good way to tell if your home has leaks.
If your usage has not changed but your water bill says otherwise, there’s a good chance that there’s a damaged pipe somewhere in your estate. Your water meter reads it as your usage because the break in the pipe is located within your property.
This means that you are billed for water that you are not using and for water that’s slowly damaging your home. One way to check if the water reading is correct is to turn off all the water outlets in your house and inspect the water meter. If the meter still runs despite all the outlets being shut off, then it’s time to contact a water leak detection company like Austest Pipeline Solutions to look further into your leakage problem.
2. Mould and mildew
Another reason to call on a plumbing leak detection company is if there is a sudden growth of mould and mildew in your home. This can be caused by the dampness of the surface due to leaks.
This makes for a more pressing matter if one of your family members is sensitive to moulds. Exposure to the organism can lead to a stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. In some cases, people with asthma—or those with allergies—can have more severe reactions.
Damp areas can also be a breeding ground for viruses and bacteria.
That said, make sure to have your plumbing checked by a professional leak detector if you notice unexplained growth of mould and mildew.
3. Wet spots
Sure enough, if you have leaks in your home, you will see wet spots all over. They can be found in the “spot” (or in nearby places) where the leak occurs. Some of the most common problems caused by wet spots are peeling paint and hard-to-remove watermarks. However, when you leave it long enough, the water from the damaged pipe can cause dilapidation and can compromise the overall integrity of the structure.
Because of the visible wet spot, identifying where the break in the plumbing is easy. However, some homeowners opt to seek the help of plumbing specialists who use state-of-the-art equipment for leak detection, such as thermal scanners and acoustic tools, for a non-destructive means of fixing the leak.
4. A wet yard
In some cases, the damage in your pipes is somewhere outside the house. If you can’t find any wet spots in your home, there’s a good chance you’ll find one in your yard.
Look for a puddle (or puddles) of mud in the middle of a dry field. This means that the leak is coming from the piping system below and is pushing its way out of the ground. These kinds of damages are often caused by natural phenomena, like the movement of the soil.
Old pipes will easily give the land shift in the event of an earthquake. If you suspect that the pipes are laid deep under the ground, seeking the help of leak detection specialists can help you address the issue without causing unnecessary damage.
5. Loss of water pressure
When there’s a leak in your plumbing, the loss of water also causes a certain amount of loss in pressure. Prolonged loss of water pressure, especially if there are no announced scheduled water interruptions in your area, can be a sign of a leak. If you have a two-story house, the loss of water pressure can immediately be observed in your second-floor faucets and showers.
Moreover, the pressure of the water gushing out of the pipe can cause damage even to concrete. The constant force of the water trying to make its way out of the pipe can weaken the surrounding structure.
The dangers of water leaks
While it’s easy to disregard water leaks early on, it would be dangerous not to address them along the way.
Leaks can eventually turn to burst pipes as the water pressure on the damaged piping can cause a larger break in the waterline. Contact a leak detector to avoid the dangers of damaging water leaks.
