Puddles on the floor; a sudden drop in water pressure; dripping sounds coming from the walls; these are the red flags most people expect when dealing with a household water leak. Those homeowners who have experienced one for themselves, however, know that the symptoms can often be much sneakier.
The best way to protect your household from the potentially hazardous and costly damage water leaks can cause is to familiarize yourself with the indicators they leave in their wake—both the obvious and the subtle.
Here are a few less-common signs of a water leak to be on the lookout for in your home:
Peeling or bubbling paint.
When drywall absorbs too much moisture, it begins to warp, lose its shape, and distort the paint that covers it. If you notice the paint on your ceiling or walls starting to bubble up, peel, or wrinkle, you may be dealing with a roof leak or a leak in your plumbing system. You may also see discolored areas of the wall with a yellow or light brownish tinge.
Overly green or wet spots in your yard.
Evidence of a household water leak isn’t always confined to the household. An underground water leak that’s spreading throughout your property can affect your lawn too. If there’s a leak in a sewer line below your house, there may be a patch on your lawn that’s greener than those around it because it’s getting more water. You may also see sunken areas where too much water (from the leak) causes the dirt to collapse.
Unpleasant smells.
There are a few reasons a water leak may cause unpleasant odor in your home. The first is if there’s a leak in your sewer pipes and sewer water is seeping into your plumbing. If you notice a foul odor right after flushing your toilet, you may be dealing with this issue. The second reason you might smell a water leak before you see it is if the leak is hidden and mold is now growing behind your walls. If the odor you notice is musty and lingers throughout your space, mold from a hidden water leak might be the culprit.
If you suspect there might be a water leak in your home, it’s important that you find out for certain before the damage gets worse. Fortunately, with the free leak inspections we offer at Inland Empire Leak Detection, you won’t spend a dime unless there really is an issue! If our professionals do detect a problem, we can also perform the leak repair services necessary to get you back up and running smoothly.
Contact us today to learn more about our free leak detections and cost-effective plumbing repair options!
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