Water is crucial to life. It keeps people hydrated, helps plants grow, and is where aquatic animals make their homes. However, it can also cause great destruction. For one, finding a water leak can significantly impact your home’s structural integrity. The hidden ones, most especially, can lead to water damage, mold growth, and high utility bills.
A minor leak can be serious, raising a house’s bills by around 10%. Water damage costs up to $20 million per year in the United States, with basements being the most common site. These numbers emphasize that detecting leaks and fixing them is paramount to avoid such costs and keep your family safe.
If you’re a homeowner facing these issues, here’s how you can find and fix water leaks.
Recognizing the Signs of Hidden Water Leaks
Hidden water leaks will slowly cause damage until it’s too late. Below are signs to watch out for that tell you it’s time to do water leak detection and repair on your property.
Unusually high water bills
Your monthly water bill can be an early indicator of potential leaks. A sudden spike in costs without you increasing water usage could signal an issue.
Low water pressure
A gradual decrease in water pressure can indicate an undetected leak in your plumbing system.
Damp or musty smells
Don’t ignore persistent, musty odors in your home. Investigate further to prevent potential mold growth.
Mold or mildew growth
Mold and mildew thrive in damp environments. If you notice mold growing around your house, it could indicate a hidden water leak.
Changes and damage on walls, ceilings, or floors
Water leaks can cause both cosmetic and structural problems to a property, including stains, discoloration, cracks, or damage to walls, ceilings, or floors. These indicate that water has penetrated the surface and may have caused further issues.
Peeling or bubbling paint or wallpaper
Moisture from hidden leaks can cause paint or wallpaper to peel or bubble. If your walls start to show peeling, you may need to do a sweep around the house.
Moisture damage on wood and carpet
Wooden surfaces, such as floors or baseboards, can warp or buckle when exposed to prolonged moisture. Carpets or rugs can also become wet or soggy, especially in areas where it should be relatively dry. These are signs that water is dripping in from somewhere and may cause further damage.
Sounds of dripping or running water
Hearing dripping or running water but being unable to pinpoint the source could mean leakage within the house.
Remember, you need to regularly check for these signs to keep your home safe and your family members healthy. Ignoring or delaying inspections can lead to more severe and costly complications in the future.
Locating the Source of the Water Leak
Once you notice the signs of water seeping in, you must move fast. To fix a leak means to find the source, and here are some ways you can do just that.
1. Check the water meter
Turn off all faucets and appliances that use water, and keep a keen eye on the water meter. If it continues to tick away, you likely have a leak in your plumbing system.
2. Inspect the fixtures
Faucets, showerheads, toilets, and other fixtures are common culprits of leaks. Carefully examine them for visible signs, such as drips, cracks, or corrosion. You can also use tools like food coloring or leak detection kits for your toilet tank or bowl for hard-to-see spots.
3. Examine the pipes
Pipes are another common spot for leaks. Look for wetness, rust, or corrosion along pipes in walls, ceilings, floors, or crawl spaces. For hard-to-reach areas, you can use flashlights, mirrors, and cameras.
If you’re having trouble seeing any damage, your ears can fill in for your sight. A stethoscope, listening device, or smartphone app to check for the sound of water rushing through the pipes can help pinpoint issues.
4. Mark the location
Once you locate the leak, mark its location and swiftly shut off the main water supply valve. Being quick can prevent further damage and buy you valuable time for repairs.
Locating the source of a hidden water leak demands patience and thoroughness. While the methods listed can be effective, help from a professional water damage restoration company is sometimes needed.
In these instances, consider All Dry’s leak detection services. We use advanced equipment and techniques to swiftly and accurately pinpoint the source of any hidden water leak in your home.
Repairing a Hidden Water Leak
Addressing a hidden water leak depends on factors such as type, location, and severity of the damage. While the complexity may vary, here are some guidelines to help you fix leaks in the basement and other parts of your home.
1. Prepare the tools and materials
Wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, tape, sealant, epoxy, clamps, and replacement parts are the tools you’ll need to repair. Prioritize safety by wearing protective gloves, goggles, and masks to guard against potential contact with contaminated water, mold, or debris.
2. Access the leak
Identify the leak by cutting or removing coverings like drywall, ceiling, floor, or pipe insulation. Be careful not to damage nearby electrical wires, gas lines, or other pipes, and remember to clean and dry the surrounding area so repairs go smoothly.
3. Fix the leak
Use the appropriate method for fixing the leak, whether it’s tightening, sealing, patching, or replacing the faulty fixture, pipe, or joint. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions or watch online tutorials as you make the repairs. Once done, test the water supply by turning it on and checking for any more signs of leaks.
4. Restore the area
If everything looks all right and there are no more leaks, it’s time for some cleanup. Replace or repair damaged or moldy materials such as drywall, ceiling, floor, or pipe insulation. You may also need to apply primer, paint, or finish to match the area’s original appearance. And don’t forget to throw all the debris away properly!
Often, the extent of the damage can be beyond your capabilities, and you need to call in some help for water leak detection and repair. How would you know if you needed to call a professional to assist in the cleanup or just clean it yourself and call it a day? For one, if the leak has been ongoing, and it’s clear the water has been soaked into the area for days, weeks, months, or years, that’s a pretty clear sign you have some significant problems that paint alone is not going to solve.
All Dry offers water damage restoration and cleanup services that can handle any fixes and restore your home to its original condition. Not just cosmetically – restoring the structural integrity of the area and making the air safe to breathe for you or your family, are all critical parts of water damage being properly handled!
Seal Leaks, Save Costs
In a state like Utah, where certain areas see a lot of precipitation, staying vigilant against hidden water leaks is critical to prevent your home from succumbing to damage. By doing inspections and acting fast when you locate issues, you can prevent them from progressing further.
For a reliable restoration company in Utah, consider All Dry. Our services can help you detect any leaks. We also offer water damage cleanup and mold and odor removal in Utah. Contact us today to learn more!
