Whether you own your home or rent, you likely know that plumbing leaks of any severity require prompt repair to prevent extensive water damage. But leaks in your plumbing system aren’t always evident, and the hidden drips and drops you may not be able to see often cause the most damage.
Fortunately, hidden plumbing leaks often leave behind clues as to their whereabouts. If you know what to look for, you can identify them before they seriously damage your home and cost you tons of cash. Read on to learn a few common, yet not-so-obvious signs that may indicate you have a hidden pipe leak.
Low Water Pressure
Whether it’s sudden or gradual, a drop in water pressure at any of your faucets may be a sign of a leak somewhere in your plumbing system. But it’s also possible that the fixture itself is causing the problem. Since a decrease in water pressure can have a few potential causes, you’ll need to have a plumber come out and take a look at your pipes to diagnose the problem.
Unexplained Musty Odors
Musty, off-putting odors inside your house are typically caused by mold growth, and mold can only grow when moisture is present. In fact, a surface only needs to remain moist for 24 to 48 hours for mold growth to set in.
If you’ve noticed any areas in your house have developed an unusually stuffy odor, it’s very possible that a plumbing leak has prompted mold growth somewhere in your home. While you wait for a plumber to come out and conduct an inspection, take a look at the most common household areas where leaks tend to form.
Ceiling or Wall Damage
Staining or bubbling paint on your ceiling or walls is a glaring sign of a leak. You might be dealing with a roof leak or the damage may be from a pipe leak. Regardless of where the leak is, it’s imperative that have you have an expert assess the area.
If you can see water damage on your ceiling, take a peek inside your attic to see if there’s any evidence of water. If you can see damage on your walls or you have a multiple-story home and there’s ceiling damage on the lower level, you probably have a plumbing leak on your hands.
Staining or Damp Areas In Cabinets
If you ever notice staining, warping, or even a small amount of moisture inside your sink cabinets, you likely have a drain leak on your hands. You might also notice that the flooring near the front of the sink is loose or warped, another glaring sign of water damage.
To find the leak, you can try filling your sink with water and observing the drainpipe as the sink empties. If you can’t see any drips, that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Call a plumber to get a more thorough inspection — if you don’t, the problem will only get worse.
Cracking Tiles or Warping Floor Boards
If you have tile or wood flooring and there’s a plumbing leak that’s soaking the subfloor and causing it to expand, you’ll inevitably notice a change in your floor. If you have tile, you may notice that tiles randomly start cracking when you walk on them. If your floors are wood or laminate, you may notice the boards begin to feel uneven beneath your feet.
Anytime you notice a difference in the way your floor feels or looks, that’s a red flag. When there’s a leak present, water always travels downward, and your floor is one of the last places it ends up. Call a plumber to schedule an inspection as soon as you can. The longer you let the issue go, the more damage it will do.
Worried You Have a Plumbing Leak? Contact Steve’s Plumbing & Heating
If you’ve noticed signs of a hidden plumbing leak in your house, get in touch with our team at Steve’s Plumbing & Heating right away. We’ll come out, inspect your plumbing, locate and diagnose the problem, and get to work repairing it. We offer straightforward pricing, 24/7 emergency service, and serve residents throughout Wisconsin Rapids, Wausau, Stevens Point, Marshfield, and the surrounding areas.
To get started, feel free to request a service estimate online or give us a call today at 715-421-1800.