We probably don’t need to tell you that if you have a leaking pipe in your home that’s undetectable to the naked eye, you’ve got a problem on your hands. Other plumbing issues make themselves known pretty quickly—for instance it’s very hard not to recognize a clogged toilet or a leaking faucet. The pipes tucked away in your home—such as in your basement or behind the walls—are less noticeable.
An issue can occur in this section of your plumbing system and go unnoticed for a significant amount of time, doing damage in the meantime. If you aren’t attentive to your plumbing system, you could unintentionally waste a lot of water, and subsequent money. If you suspect you have a leak, the best thing to do is call our team for professional leak detection. But in order to suspect something, you have to know the signs, right? So, what are these signs? Read on!
Cracks in the Foundation
If you live in a home that’s on the older side, it’s common to see a few minor cracks in the foundation of your home as it has settled throughout the years. What’s abnormal, however, is seeing an excess number of cracks and no reasonable cause.
When an underground water leak—called a slab leak—goes undetected for too long, it causes the structural foundation of your home to weaken, which leads to cracks from the unbalanced pressure.
Higher Water Bills
When you get your monthly water bill, do you typically know what to expect? If you have used reasonable amounts of water in the last few months, but your bills are much higher than you expected, you may have a hidden leak. The longer you let that leak go undetected, the longer it unnecessarily raises your water bills.
Visible Water Damage
When a leak goes undetected for too long, water will start pooling in unlikely places. So if you notice stains on the floor, ceiling, or walls, it’s often a sign of water damage. If it’s been raining, you should absolutely check and make sure that water damage isn’t coming from roof damage. Otherwise, it’s time to call a plumber!
The Presence of Mold and Mildew
If you notice mold or mildew growth in the crevices of your home, particularly in unlikely areas, you may have a water leak on your hands. Water leaks raise the humidity levels in the home, and create an environment where mold flourishes.
Give Our Team a Call!
If you suspect a leak in your home, or want to have your pipes checked out to see what kind of shape they’re in, the best thing you can do is give our team a call. We’ll be able to inspect your plumbing and give you the information you need to make an educated decision on next steps, whether you just want to repair the leak locally or look into pipe replacement services to address aging plumbing.
For expert plumbing services in St. Louis, MO, contact Performance Plumbing today!