Water Leaks
The safety of your home depends on the condition of your plumbing system. Plumbing leaks are among the most common issues a homeowner can encounter. They can pose a significant threat to your home, especially the physical structure. Plumbing leaks are hardly noticed because they are not easy to detect, mainly because pipes are often located under the foundation of your home, in the walls, or even in the ceiling joists.
Unattended leaks can lead to a potential water disaster, causing serious consequences. For instance; a leaky sink drain can contaminate your water supply or attract mold spores which can enter your home and multiply. Your leaky shower drain pipes could end up flooding, bringing sewage into your home causing your home to smell. Let’s discuss some common water leaks and how to detect them.
Common Water Leaks:
Kitchen/bathroom faucets – Faucets are a very common area for leaks. They may seem minor, but these type of leaks can add up in your bills and damage your bathtubs or sinks. If you notice little pest flying around your home, they may not be caused from older fruit. Check your kitchen sink area as this is an indication there may be a leak. Be sure to check the areas under your sink, including floors, cabinets and grease traps, as leaks can develop there.
Shower hose – Shower hoses can corrode quickly due to constant use. That corrosion can lead to leaks.
Basement Leaks – Some piping runs through your basement. You should inspect your basement on a regular basis. One leaking drain pipe is enough for rodents and other pests to camp out in your basement because there is plenty of water and moisture for them. A leaky basement pipe can cause damage to other parts of your home. An experienced plumber Can inspect your basement so you don’t have to do it yourself. Plumbers readily know where to find a leak, so plumbing issues can be addressed more quickly and fixed right away.
Appliance leaks – There are many reasons why some of your appliances may leak, especially your water heater, dishwasher, refrigerator, and washing machine. Some are, clogs, broken pipes and the age of your appliances. Since many of your home appliances are connected to a water pipe, a crack or any damage to the line can cause them to leak.
Toilets – Old worn out toilet flappers can cause leaks. The simple rubber devise holds water in the tank and then releases it into the bowl when you flush. Once the rubber wears out, it can cause your toilet to flush on its own or leak out.
Detecting Plumbing Leaks:
Here are some ways to determine if you have a plumbing leak.
Monitor your water meter – This is the best means of identifying a leak in your plumbing. Turn off all your faucets, washing machine, and dishwasher. Now go to that meter and write down the number reading. After about an hour recheck those numbers. If nothing has changed, most likely you do not have any leaks. If there is a change, chances are you have a leak either inside or outside your home.
Monitor your water bill – Compare last months water bill to this months. If there is a dramatic increase in the water consumption, this could mean you have a plumbing leak. Basically, your water bill charges should be relatively the same every month. Increases should be minimal, but if this is unusually high, there could be a problem with your pipes.
Monitor your toilets – Toilets account for roughly 30% of your water usage. You should monitor your toilets regularly to be sure they are functioning properly. Check for water around the base of your toilet and supply lines. You can also put a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. If the color shows up in the bowl within 10 minutes without flushing, you have a leak. Be sure to flush after this experiment to avoid staining your tank.
Examine your drains – Drain leak detection in the kitchen can be difficult as there are several pipes involved in this part of your home, including the tailpipe and the p-trap. Both of these pipes play a major role in ensuring no plumbing problems occur. If they become damaged, a leak can occur especially if the pipe becomes clogged.
Inspect your walls/ceilings – If you notice discoloration on your ceiling or walls, this is a strong indication of a water leak. This is especially true if the discoloration is yellowish or brownish in color.
Low water pressure – If you notice low water pressure when you turn on the shower or a faucet this can also be a sign that you may have a plumbing leak.
Foul Odors – An underground water leak can sometimes give off an unpleasant odor. If your sewage pipes are damaged, sewage is unable to move properly and eventually the odor will make its way into your home.
Underground Leaks:
Leaks beneath your home can develop anywhere on your property. Broken pipes under your home can lead to irreparable damages to your foundation and cost tens of thousands of dollars to repair. Some signs of underground water leaks include:
High water bills – Just as we said before, if you notice a big change in your water consumption on your bill, you may have a leak.
Low water pressure – Again if that water pressure is low when using a faucet or shower.
Driveway cracks – An underground leak can cause the slabs in your driveway to crack.
Dirt in your water – If you see dirt, sediment, or mud in your shower or faucets, your underground pipes might be seriously damaged.
Check your yard for strangely muddy areas or for plants that are a lot greener or taller than the others.
Common reasons for underground leaks are:
Broken seals: Seals are made to link or connect the different pipes to one another. Over time they are exposed to the elements causing them to break.
Incorrect pipe laying
Damaged pipe joints: Pipe joints are important too your plumbing system. Exposure to the elements can cause the pipe joints to deteriorate. When they, do leaks will likely occur
Soil erosion : Soil erosion occurs naturally and can be dangerous. It can cause your underground pipes to move from their original position, producing small gaps where leaking will occur.
Strong water pressure: Yes we all love a strong pressured shower, but if the water is too strong, it can cause pipes to break.
Now lets discuss some common pests that love moist, damp or wet areas.
Rats: Rats have a keen sense of smell and are sensitive to temperature changes and can easily locate drafts and moisture in any given area. They look for water in dark and small areas and will eat anything in the area.
Ants: Ants can locate water and bring large quantities to their colony through their second stomach. Don’t be surprised if you see a large group of ants in an area of your home where there are damp spots.
Silverfish: These silvery pests survive where there is high humidity and moisture. If they are in your home, chances are you have an area where there is excessive moisture.
Drain flies: Drain flies look more like a moth than a common household fly. They live in moist areas such as your toilet, septic tank, and drainage systems.
We can’t talk about pests that love moisture without mentioning mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can reproduce in as little as an inch of water. To prevent them from multiplying, remove all standing water in and around your home.
Leaks are a common household problem, and because of this, many homeowners often just leave them alone. What we fail to realize is that even a small drip can lead to something more serious like a sewage backup or water damage.There is also the danger of pests invading your home. Contrary to what some people think, water leaks will not go away. When you see any signs of a leak, it is best to address them immediately by calling a professional plumber to come in and fix the issue. A leak in your home should never be disregarded. While there is nothing wrong with repairing leaks on your own, we still recommend you seek help from a skilled plumber. If you think your plumbing system is suffering from a leak, Rootbusters Plumbing has the tools and equipment to help you determine this. Our plumbers are experienced experts who can work on any plumbing leak you may encounter.
Leak Facts From the EPA
10% of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day
Fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners about 10% on their water bills.
Household leaks can waste more than 1 trillion gallons annually nationwide.
A shower head leaking at 10 drips per minute wastes more than 500 gallons of water per year. That’s the amount of water it takes to wash 60 loads of dishes in your dishwasher.