You don’t have to have a water leak in your home to know that they’re an inconvenience, and sometimes a costly one at that. Although they can be annoying, discovering one is not usually cause for panic (unless it’s an emergency situation). But if they’re not properly addressed, water leaks can cause a lot of damage to your property and disruptions to your life.
So, what are some of the dangers a water leak can cause?
Mold & Mildew
Probably the biggest concern when it comes to the long-term effects of household leaks is mold, mildew, and fungal growth. Moisture buildup is a prime breeding ground for these toxins, and water also triggers the production and release of mold spores into the air.
Fungal spores can quickly spread throughout your home and threaten your family’s health. Common health hazards caused by mold include respiratory illness, skin irritation, and nose and throat inflammation. They’re especially harmful to infants and individuals with a compromised immune system. Not to mention, on top of all that, mold is also very costly to remove.
Structural Damage
Many of the materials used to construct the different elements of your property are vulnerable to damage by water exposure and excessive moisture. Water can peel paint, corrode metal, rot and warp wood, and cause staining and discoloration.
If left undetected, water leaks can cause extensive damage that threatens the integrity of your house and necessitates expensive repairs.
High Utility Bills
Water leaks can be dangerous not only to your health and the structure of your home, but to your bank account too. Obviously, the first cost to shoot up will be your water bill, since you’re paying for all that extra water you’re not using.
Additionally, a water leak can spread through the walls and ceiling and damage your insulation, and also create more humidity in the air. This means you’ll be spending more not just on water, but on heating and cooling your home too.
Fire Hazard
You may not immediately associate water leaks with fire hazards, but it’s not uncommon or difficult for leaking water to make its way to your electrical wiring. This puts you at risk for short circuits and shorted wires that can cause potentially catastrophic electrical fires.
Contaminated Water
Broken and burst pipes are at risk for external contamination from particles and debris in your home. These potentially hazardous contaminants can be sucked in by the pressure of the water flowing through the pipe if they’re in the air or sitting nearby. This leaves you and your family exposed to lower quality or even toxic drinking and shower water.
Pest Infestation
Do you know what attracts a lot of those annoying insects and vermin you try so hard to keep out of your home? Moisture. Many pests are attracted to moisture because it softens materials—such as carpeting, drywall, or wood—that they can either burrow into or eat.
If a water leak goes undetected for some time, you may end up with infestations of pests like cockroaches, carpenter ants, silverfish, and more.
Protect your property and its residents by taking care of water leaks before they have the chance to get dangerous.
With the free leak detection services at Inland Empire Leak Detection, you won’t have to worry about mold, pests, or any kind of water leak damage. Our experts will inspect your home for water leaks for free, as well as provide non-invasive and cost-effective solutions if you do need repairs.
For more information on our free water leak inspections and plumbing services, reach out to one of our specialists today!
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