The plumbing system in your home is an important part of your daily activities. You use your water for drinking, brushing your teeth, showering, washing dishes and clothing, and watering your garden. Of course, water is also an important component of your waste-elimination (sewage) system.Plumbing_leak

What Are Some of the Signs That Your Plumbing System Has a Leak?

In some instances, it is difficult to know that a leak exists because you can't see

it. However, most of the time, at least one of the signs that you have a leak is clearly visible or audible, you simply need to be on the lookout for it. Here are some signs that you have a leak:

  • The sound of dripping water behind walls
  • The sound of running water in the toilet
  • Wet or damp walls, ceilings, or floor
  • Constant dripping that you can see from faucet, pipe, or water lines
  • Bad odors coming from a specific area of the home where water pipes are located
  • Unusually high water meter readings or bills, particularly if you have been away on vacation
  • Visible signs of damage to any area where water pipes are located
  • On the exterior of your home, the uneven growth of natural vegetation can indicate that one of your water pipes is leaking in the yard.

What Kind of Damage Can a Leak Cause?

A leak in your plumbing system, even a minor one, can cause structural damage to your home. Therefore, even if the leak is small, it should be taken care of as soon as you discover it exists.

The continual dripping of the water can lead to all sorts of problems, including staining, foul odors, cracks, discoloration, and the breakdown of your floors, walls, and foundation. At first these signs might be so small that you barely notice them. However, the damage generally gets worse over time until you have the leak repaired.

Minor leaks, such as the ones found in faucets, are sometimes remedied by replacing the washer that is used to help seal off the opening. Another example of a do-it-yourself repair is when a loose pipe joint causes the leak. All you need to do is to tighten the pipe gently to see if the leak subsides.

If you are handy with tools, you can make the repairs on your own. However, in other cases, a leak might indicate that you have a more serious problem that should be handled by a professional plumber.

Sometimes, it is just easier to bring in an experienced professional who has been trained in all sorts of plumbing installations and repairs. A qualified plumber can assist you by determining the nature of the problem and remedying it through the proper repairs.

Conduct a Leak-Detection Checkup Once a Year

Even if you don't suspect any leaks exist, you should make it an annual habit to complete a thorough check of your plumbing system for leaks once a year. Do a complete walk-through of your home's plumbing system, looking for the most obvious signs of leaking.

You should always include the exterior of your home during this inspection. Check out each hose-bib for signs of leaking. The hose-bib is the pipe that you can hook your hoses to. It generally protrudes from your home on a back or side wall. Be sure to also examine drip-irrigation systems if you have any. Look over the water lines to your pool for signs of problems as well.

Things to Consider When You Discover a Leak in Your Plumbing System

No matter how handy you consider yourself, it is important to remember that wherever a minor problem exists, you might also find or create a more serious one. If you aren't up to involved plumbing repairs, it might simply be best to call a professional plumber who can take care of the issue correctly and permanently.

One of the most likely scenarios involving extensive repairs occurs with older homes. Making one repair might lead you to discover four or five more problems due to the age of the gaskets, pipes, and other plumbing components.

You might also want to compare the difference between the cost of the repair and the expense of upgrading to new faucets or toilets. It might be in your best interest to simply go with the full replacement than to repair an outdated one.

If you need a certified plumber to examine your home, contact Warner Service. We'll have a plumber visit around your schedule and get you on the right track to a safe plumbing system.

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