Small leaks can quickly become big problems if they aren’t addressed. They can build up to require substantial repairs, including replacement of pipes and the repair of your ceiling, floor, and drywall. A household plumbing inspection will tell you about all the small leaks and other problem areas in your plumbing that could lead to larger problems in the future.
Here are three signs that you have a leak and should call a residential plumber for a household inspection ASAP:
Brown spots appear on the ceiling
If brown spots are starting to form on the ceiling, you likely have a water leak directly above. The leak could be new, but it could be an old opening that has grown large enough to impact your ceiling. Take the brown spots as a sign that your pipes are signaling for immediate help. The longer the leak is unattended, the more likely your pipes will break down from corrosion around the leak area.
Your water bill is increasing despite unchanged usage
If your water bill is gradually increasing and you can’t justify why, that’s a sign of a water leak. If a faucet even dribbles a few drops of water, your bills can increase. No matter how infrequent the dribbling, it will drain at your savings.
To be sure this is a water leak, check your home for loose or running faucets. If you have a sprinkler or water system for your garden, check those water lines for breaks. If everything appears to be in shape, contact a residential plumber to check for unspotted leaks and problems.
In cases where you can’t locate the leak yourself, the leak might be in the sewer line that runs underneath your home and yard. This would most likely require trenchless sewer replacement, a minimally invasive procedure that disrupts as little as possible of your landscape.
Peeling paint or mold growth in the bathroom
Bathrooms are frequent sources of excess moisture, but not all moisture problems are caused by the humidity of hot showers. Sometimes blistering or peeling paint is caused by water leaks behind the wall. Mold growth can also be caused by water leaking down the walls.
Moisture problems should be immediately treated, especially if they’re in the bathroom, because they can progress to cause the floor or ceiling to collapse. Not all mold is toxic to your health, but if stachybotrys chartarum (also called “black mold”) grows on your walls, it can severely affect your respiratory and immune systems.
Clear any mold immediately, then have a residential plumber determine if there’s a leak or if your bathroom merely has poor ventilation. You want the leak fixed before the damage can spread to your drywall and cause a need for major repairs.
Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating provides local household plumbing inspections
You can stretch out time between repairs by applying plumbers tape to the problem areas of small leaks. Keep track of the leaks you find so your plumber can get to work faster.
Small leaks can be indicative of larger problems. Reach out to Ehret. Co Plumbing & Heating through our online contact form or call us at 510-528-4292 to schedule a household plumbing inspection.