According to the estimates released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), leaking pipes waste one trillion gallons of water annually. Moreover, leaking pipes can cause serious damage to your home if they’re not addressed on time. Read the warning signs below to know when the pipes in your home are leaking and need the attention of a plumber.
1. Sudden Increase in Water Bills
It is normal for water bills to shoot up, especially during summer. After all, during this period, homeowners choose to fill their pools or allow kids to use the sprinklers to cool off. You are also likely to water your lawn to keep it lush.
However, when your water bill suddenly goes up, and you are having a hard time knowing why, then the increase might be a sign of a leaking pipe. Pipe leaks often start small and then get big if not handled as soon as possible. It is important that you monitor your water bill on a monthly basis to spot a potential leaking pipe early.
2. Stained and Damaged Ceilings and Walls
If you notice stains on the walls, floors, and ceilings of your home, then this might be a warning sign that you have leaky pipes behind these surfaces. In the beginning, it may be difficult to notice the stain. But if the issue is not fixed, the stain will become easily noticeable.
If you ignore a potential leak, significant damage may occur; your ceilings could start to sag and eventually collapse. If the issue is affecting the wall, it will start to become bendable in the sense that if you lean an item against it, you will notice an imprint.
It is also worth stating here that sagging ceilings and bendable walls may also be due to other factors. For example, if your home is not well-ventilated and the humidity levels inside are high, you may notice these issues, and the problem may not be necessarily due to leaking pipes. However, if these issues come along with other warning signs, consider calling your local plumber to help with leak detection and repairs.
3. Visible Mildew and Mold
It is normal for your shower to have a little mold and mildew regardless of how clean it is. What is not normal is mildew and mold outside the tub area. Mold and mildew on your baseboard, walls, ceilings, or floors in the kitchen or bathroom are far from normal; hence, you need to contact a professional plumber immediately you notice them.
These substances are usually a warning sign that the pipes in your home are leaking. Sometimes, you do not need to see to know whether there are leaking pipes in your home; a room that smells musty may also be a sign that something is seriously wrong with your plumbing system. Rooms start to smell musty when the water under a leaking pipe begins to stagnate and produce a bad odor.
A leaking pipe can lead to significant damage to your home and impact your budget through costly repairs and skyrocketing water bills. Fortunately, leaking pipes are fairly easy to spot thanks to the above warning signs. If you are in Yuma, AZ and looking for professional leak detection and repair, contact PHD Plumbing today.