Water damage can cause untold problems within the home. There is the obvious aesthetic damage – water marks on the walls, damp in the carpets, damage to your personal belongings. But it can actually get much worse than that. Water can often be the cause of expensive and drastic structural damage. It can cause damp in the walls, affect the timber frame of a property, or make entire ceilings collapse.

So what can you do to help protect yourself from something like this?

Well, prevention is better than cure, so firstly you should try to ensure that your pipes and plumbing are well looked after, repaired and replaced at the first opportunity, and good quality materials used.

There are, however, going to be situations where, even with the most care in the world, you will get a leak. The most important thing in this situation is to know how to spot a leak and deal with it right away. Leaks come in all shapes and sizes, and sometimes are easy to detect due to gushing water. Sometimes, however, the leak is slow, and can be difficult to detect.

Signs of a Leaky Pipe

So what are the telltale signs that you have a leaky pipe?

  • Water bills which become higher without explanation
  • Sewage backup problems
  • The sound of running water – even if nothing is in use
  • Musty or damp smell near walls, drains, or floors
  • Excess of moisture or damp on walls, ceilings, or carpets
  • Discoloration of walls, ceilings, or floors
  • Appearance of mold on walls, ceilings, or floors
  • Change in water meter readings when water isn’t in use
  • Toilets or taps which have continually running water
  • Walls which are soft or spongy to the touch

 

What to do if you suspect a leak

If you notice one or more of these factors, it is probable that you have a water leak. The first thing that you should do is turn off your water to prevent any damage. Now you need to find the actual leak, this might be obvious or might not. An example of a leak not being obvious to detect is if you have a slow leak and are only aware of it because of higher water bills.

If you can’t find the root of the leak, call a reliable plumber. They will be able to find the leak and fix it for you.

Once you have discovered the root of the leak, you need to decide if it is something that you can fix properly. You might want to do a temporary repair until you can get a plumber to fix it.

Make sure that when you do repair your leak that it is done properly, to avoid problems in the future. It is much more cost, time, and stress effective to repair any leaks as soon as you notice that you have them.

For more information about leaky pipes or if you have a leak and are in need of immediate professional assistance, get in touch with us today and our team of experts will be ready to help.