Prevent an Expensive Mess by Catching Leaks Early
A water leak in a home’s plumbing system is never a good thing. Between the damage caused, the water wasted, and the expense incurred, it’s every homeowner’s worst nightmare. While there’s never a convenient time for a leak to show its ugly face, they have a knack for popping up at the worst possible time - like the middle of a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner.
The majority of leaks don’t just come out of nowhere and create a slapstick fountain of water, however. Most plumbing leaks start small and are hidden behind walls or under floors, making them difficult to spot until it’s too late.
How To Tell if There’s a Water Leak
Spotting a plumbing leak is just a matter of knowing what to look for. Naturally, puddles of water or cloudy white water spots near fixtures or appliances are dead giveaways. But since most of a home’s supply and drainage pipes are hidden from view, the evidence is generally more subtle.
Blotchy stains or discolorations on walls and ceilings, saggy or bulging sheetrock, warped or cracked wood, bubbling wallpaper and paint, crumbly mortar and grout, musty odors, mold growth - these are all indicators of a probable leak.
Other signs may include the sound of dripping or trickling water (the latter is common with toilet leaks), unusually high water bills, and cracks in concrete or perpetually moist patches of soil (if the leak is outdoors).
Can a Water Leak Be Dangerous?
Aside from potentially causing extensive property damage, water leaks can also pose serious health risks to everyone in the home. Over time, leaking water can compromise the integrity of floors and ceilings (especially those made from sheetrock) and cause them to collapse, which could result in severe injuries.
Suppose leaking water comes into contact with electrical components like lightswitch modules, outlets, or exposed wires. It could create a spark or short-circuit that can ignite insulation materials and cause a fire. Likewise, since water is highly conductive, it can heighten the risk of electric shock. Also, mold growth negatively impacts a home’s indoor air quality and can cause respiratory irritation and illness.
How Do the Pros Find and Repair Leaks?
Plumbers and leak detection specialists can track down leaks in various ways. If visual evidence can’t be found, they typically start by running a pressure test of the home’s supply pipes. This determines whether or not the system has a leak and gives some idea as to the severity. They then seek out the leak’s exact location using highly sensitive acoustic listening devices or visually inspect hidden pipes using a fiber-optic cable.
They will then excavate the leaking section of plumbing as discreetly as possible and go about repairing it. Most pipe leaks occur at joints or connections when the soldering gets worn or comes loose due to vibration or water hammer (a pressure-related issue) - a fairly easy fix. In older homes with aging steel or copper pipes, however, leaks may form as a result of corrosion. In this case, a whole-home repiping may be necessary to avoid similar leaks in the future.
The best professionals go beyond simply finding and repairing leaks by working to pinpoint the ultimate cause of the leak and recommending solutions to take care of the problem once and for all.
About Swick Home Services
Swick Home Services has been happily handling the plumbing, HVAC, and electrical needs of Marquette, Michigan, since 1977. Their superior customer service and workmanship, community involvement, and environmental responsibility have set them apart and made them a trusted, 5-star leader in their industry. Swick provides financing, price-matching, 24/7 emergency support, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Give them a call for leak repair in Marquette today!
