Leaks: almost every homeowner deals with them at some point, yet they are not always easy to spot. As our Redding plumbing props have seen firsthand, leaks can occur in virtually any part of your plumbing system, from your water heater to your toilet. The problem is that what may at first seem like a few drips here and there can quickly spiral out of control, until your property experiences extreme water damage. Make sure this doesn’t happen to you. Keep reading to learn the top 5 signs of a plumbing leak, and remember to call Wallner Plumbing Heating & Air for quality leak repairs in Redding, CA.
The top 5 signs you have a plumbing leak are:
- Your water bill keeps going up, while your equipment’s performance keeps going down: A significant spike in your water bill is always a strong indicator that there is a plumbing leak somewhere in your system. While this is not the only thing that can cause your water costs to rise, you should compare your recent bills to what you were paying at the same time a year ago, to ensure the change is not seasonal. Increased water bills are often accompanied by poor equipment performance, so if your water costs are rising while one or more of your appliances are failing, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with a plumbing leak or some other kind of damage. You should also check your water meter, to see whether it continues ticking even when your fixtures and appliances are not in use.
- You find mold and mildew in your home: Mold and mildew thrive in dank, dark spaces. Therefore, when a leak occurs in your plumbing system, it often creates an ideal environment for these contaminants to thrive. Watch out for nasty, musty smells in your kitchen, bathroom, and elsewhere in your home, and if you do find mold, call a professional to deal with it and to determine if a leak is the root of the problem right away.
- There are cracks in your foundation: The older your house is, the more likely it is to have a few cracks. However, if you start to find foundation cracks in parts of your home where there were none before, it may be because of a bad pipe leak, causing water to seep out into your foundation, damaging the structural integrity of your house.
- There are stains on your ceilings or walls: As plumbing leaks in your ceilings and walls grow, you may start to notice stains or discolorations. The bigger a stain gets or the more discolored your walls and ceilings are, the greater the chance is there is a leak growing behind them. You will want to address this fast, as sudden stains are often accompanied by structural/foundational damage. This brings us to our next sign…
- There are wet spots around your property: Leak stains are also often accompanied by wet spots. However, wet spots don’t just occur on your ceilings and walls. You may notice wet areas around appliances such as sinks, tubs, and toilets as well. If these spots are accompanied by discoloration, you should call a plumber right away. The same goes for if you find wet spots out in your yard, as this may indicate you are dealing with a leak in your underground sewer line.
For leak service and more, call Wallner Plumbing Heating & Air now at (530) 223-5622, or contact us online for more information.
