It’s easy to think as a homeowner, that plumbing problems are inevitable. After all, plumbing systems can’t last forever, and given how many appliances and fixtures you deal with in your home on a daily basis, it makes sense that sooner or later you’ll deal with a serious plumbing issue of some kind.
The good news is, you don’t have to just accept that there’s nothing you can do, and wait around for a plumbing disaster to happen. While an occasional leak or plumbing repair here or there might be inevitable, plumbing disasters aren’t. So how can you prevent them? By knowing the signs of a small leak before it turns into something bigger! We’ve outlined these signs below.
New Cracks In Your Home’s Foundation
Do you live in a home that is over two decades old? It’s relatively common to spot a few superficial cracks here or there–this happens as your house “settles.” However, it’s not normal to see an excessive number of cracks or new cracks for no clear reason (such as home renovations).
What can occur is a slab leak–or in other words an underground leak beneath your home, which can go unnoticed but still create structural damage to the foundation by weakening and shifting it. This will ultimately lead to the cracks that you notice.
An Increase In Your Water Bills
When you receive your water bill from month to month, do you know what to expect? You probably do. So, if you used a sensible amount of water throughout the last few months, but your water bills keep rising, then there is a good chance that you have a hidden leak. The longer this goes unchecked, the higher your water bills will be.
Water Damage
So, what if you actually see water damage? This may be visible as spots on your drywall or your ceiling, or small pools of water inside or outside your property. These signs of water damage are never normal, and almost always lead to a plumbing disaster if not addressed right away.
Mildew or Mold Growth
If you discover any mildew or mold growing in any crevices of your living space, especially in unlikely locations, then you likely have a water leak of some kind in your home. Alternatively, you could be dealing with excessive humidity, but the chances of that happening this time of year are pretty slim, so, it’s likely time to call a plumber!
The Sound of Running Water with No Plumbing Use
If you have no plumbing appliances or taps running, but you still hear running water, it’s probably because you have something going on with your plumbing system, like a pipe leak behind the drywall, or even a slab leak like we mentioned above.
If you suspect any problems with your plumbing system, the best thing you can do is give our plumbers a call ASAP. This will be the difference between a slightly inconvenient leak and a full-on plumbing disaster.
DeHart Plumbing, Heating, and Air Inc. is your trusted resource for Modesto plumbing services. Contact us today!