Water leaks can waste hundreds of gallons of water, increase your monthly water bill, and cause serious damage to your house.
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It can be tough to pinpoint where a leak is coming from, but certain clues may indicate the source of a problem. These include:
Leaking Pipes
If you have a leak in one of the pipes in your house, it’s important to take immediate action. A leaking pipe can cause serious water damage in your home and could even lead to mold growth.
The first thing you need to do is figure out where the leak is coming from. The easiest way to do this is to check the ground around where your leaking pipe is located.
A wet spot in your yard or garden could be the tell-tale sign of a leaking underground pipe. Leaves or other debris can also be a sign that there is a pipe somewhere nearby.
If you do see a leak, there are a few temporary fixes you can do on your own. One option is to apply epoxy putty to the leaking pipe and wait for it to dry. Another option is to use a repair patch and clamp kit. This is a temporary fix and will only last until you can call a plumber to replace the damaged part of the pipe 52av.
Slab Leaks
A slab leak happens when the water lines that feed fixtures and appliances throughout your house leak under the concrete foundation of your home. This can cause major damage to walls, hardwood floors, carpeting, drywall and other items in your home in a short amount of time.
Typically, slab leaks are on the hot water side of your plumbing system, though they can happen to the cold water pipes as well. They’re more common on hot water lines because the water in those systems is at a higher temperature and is more prone to corrosion.
However, a slab leak can also be caused by other factors like expansive soil that expands and contracts when it’s wet and dry. The shift in the soil can weaken and crack the pipes causing them to leak under the concrete slab of your house.
Cracks in the Walls
If you have a large crack in the wall, this is likely a sign that something is wrong. The crack could be structural and will need to be fixed by a professional.
Hairline cracks in walls are more common and are usually caused by the paint and plaster contracting and expanding over time due to fluctuations in humidity levels or
changes in temperature. They often surface near windows and doors.
Diagonal cracks in walls are more serious and can indicate subsidence, termite damage or the collapse of supporting wood timbers. They should be investigated by a structural engineer.
Vertical cracks in walls are also sometimes a problem and they’re caused by minor settling of the foundation. These can be harmless but they can be very expensive to fix if there’s structural damage involved.
Nail pops in drywall are another potential issue and should be checked out by a professional if they’re accompanied by other wall cracks. This is because it can signal significant drywall shear movement.
Water Damage
Water leaks are a serious problem that can compromise your home’s structural integrity and cause toxic mold growth. They also damage electrical systems, corrode plumbing, and lead to ceiling and wall collapses.
Water is not an insulator and will absorb into wood, drywall, and other materials if left to soak for too long. This is why hardwood floors and drywall need to be replaced immediately after water damage.
If your home has been damaged by water, it’s best to seek help from a restoration company as soon as possible. The restoration process can take anywhere from a few days to weeks, depending on the extent of the damage.
If the water is black, like from sewage, it becomes a biohazard and you must wait for professionals to decontaminate your home before you can enter. It’s also important to have your home dried out as quickly as possible, so that you can minimize the spread of mold spores.
With leaks that cannot be fixed on its own, a plumber in Somerton Park can identify leaks or help fix the problem without causing more harm to your plumbing system.
