Even though water leaks can sometimes be subtle, they can result in extensive water damage to your home. They can even cause mold growth, compromising your house’s structural integrity and presenting certain health hazards. Knowing how to identify different types of hidden water leaks in your home is key to maintaining a comfortable and safe living space.
Leaky Faucets
A leaky faucet is one of the easiest types of leaks to detect, but some of them might be less visible than others. This is particularly true for leaks that occur around the base of a faucet or under the sink. You can usually identify faucet leaks by looking for unexplained puddles or water stains on or under sink cabinets and countertops. If the faucet drips water even after you turn it off, this is a clear sign that there’s a leak that you need to fix. When you leave a leaky faucet unfixed, your home’s water pressure may fluctuate, leading to water waste and higher water bills. Long-term water seepage from a leak can deteriorate nearby wood, cabinets, and flooring, necessitating costly repairs.
Toilet Leaks
You can also use food dye to pinpoint hidden toilet leaks. All you do is place a few drops into the toilet tank and wait for about 15 minutes. If any of the coloring leaks into the bowl despite not flushing it, you have a leak. A toilet leak can lead to the waste of hundreds of gallons of water before you notice it. Another indicator of a toilet leak is the persistent sound of running water. There’s also a chance that the toilet is leaking out of the base, which will cause water to pool on your floor, possibly damaging the subfloor.
Pipe Leaks
Leaks in concealed pipes, which are typically located in ceilings or walls, can be difficult to detect. Walls, ceilings, and floors that are moist or discolored are common indicators of a hidden pipe leak. You might also hear water trickling down the pipes even when no one is using the fixtures. In more serious instances, water seeping from pipes behind walls can cause a musty smell or mold. Leaks like these can ruin a house’s framework, leading to rotting wood and a breeding ground for mold. All of this can negatively impact indoor air quality and people’s health.
Water Heater Leaks
Although most water heater leaks occur at the unit’s base, they can also manifest in the pipes that link the heater to the water supply system. Signs of a water heater leak include collecting water around the appliance or rust-colored discolorations on the tank. Water dripping or hissing from the heater is another possible sign. Water seepage from a malfunctioning water heater will gradually deteriorate the floor or other nearby structures. When water from a heater overflows into a room, mold can grow, further endangering the health of the home’s occupants.
Showerhead Leaks
If you notice water dripping from the showerhead even after you switch it off or if you see damp areas on the floor or wall around the shower, you may have a leak. Mineral deposits around the pipe connection or showerhead can be an indication of a gradual, consistent leak, so be sure to check for them. Mold and structural problems in the bathroom might develop when water seeps behind walls caused by a leaking showerhead and damages the tiles and walls around it.
Leaking Hose Bib
Leaks can occur in exterior hose bibs, also known as outdoor faucets, due to the pipes cracking from cold weather. To find these types of leaks, simply turn on the hose bib. Water dripping from the wall or the faucet itself could be a sign of a more serious problem. Water gathering around your foundation from a hose bib that drips all the time will eventually cause soil erosion.
Washing Machine Hose Leaks
Keep an eye out for any standing water or wet areas near the washing machine, especially around the water supply connections. Other red flags include bulges or cracks in the hose. If you don’t fix a leaking washing machine hose, it can cause water damage to your floors and walls. This can degrade the floor structures to the point that lower floor ceilings droop or fall.
Raymark Plumbing & Sewer is here to help you deal with any type of water leak in your home. We also offer numerous plumbing services, such as repiping, water line repairs, sump pump installations, drain cleaning and repairs, hydrojet cleaning, trenchless repairs, and much more. Contact us today to book water leak detection services and plumbing leak repair for your home in Seattle, WA.
