There are many reasons why you should call Certified Plumbing for leaking pipes:
- Leaking pipes can cause water damage to your home.
- Leaking pipes can lead to mold and mildew growth.
- Leaking pipes can waste water and increase your water bill.
- Leaking pipes can be dangerous and cause accidents.
So, if you have leaking pipes, be sure to call a plumber right away.
Water Damage
One of the most common problems leaking pipes can cause is water damage. Water damage can occur to any part of your home, including the floors, walls, ceilings, and furniture.
Water damage can cause your home to become structurally unsound and lead to mold and mildew growth.
But water damage from leaking pipes won’t just stop at the structure of your home. Water will soak into the furniture and cause problems inside the couch, table, chair, or bed. It will seep into your books and the shelves your books sit on. You won’t be able to enjoy your hobbies if water gets into your electronics like your computer, TV, and video game systems.
Mold and Mildew Growth
Another problem that leaking pipes can cause is mold and mildew growth. Mold and mildew are both fungi that thrive in damp, dark environments. If left unchecked, they can cause serious health problems for you and your family. The water that leaks from the pipes can contain harmful bacteria that can cause illnesses.
Mold and mildew can cause respiratory problems, skin irritation, and allergic reactions. In extreme cases, they can even cause death. If you suspect that your home has a mold or mildew problem, it’s essential to have it inspected by a professional as soon as possible. You need to identify the type of mold or mildew and its source.
Once you know what you’re dealing with, you can take steps to get rid of it and prevent it from coming back.
The color of the water might also help determine the source of the leak. If the water is grey or black, it could be from a backed-up sewer and a biohazard.
Dangerous
Leaking pipes can also be dangerous. If the leak is in an area with a lot of foot traffic, it can create a slip and fall hazard. And if the leak is near electrical wiring, it could create a fire or electrical shock hazard.
In some cases, leaking pipes can also lead to flooding. This can cause extensive damage to your home and possessions. And depending on what type of damage your insurance covers, they may not pay the cost to replace or fix all of your damage.
Some damage can lead to rust depending on where your water passes through or sits. This might not seem like a big deal, but when your water contaminates with rust, it can cause significant problems. It can lead to brown or red staining on fixtures, clothing, and dishes. And it can also clog pipes and decrease water pressure.
If you have rust in your water, it’s important to get it checked out and fixed as soon as possible. Rust can cause your pipes to weaken and eventually break. This can cause extensive damage to your home and cost you a lot of money to replace the pipes.
It’s best to shut off power from the breaker box if you notice a leak in your house. If the leak is around the breaker, don’t touch it but call your utility company to try and turn it off from their end. If they’re unable to, have them send someone out to your property.
Increased Water Bill
Another problem that leaking pipes can cause is increased water bills. Leaking pipes can waste up to hundreds of gallons of water a day. This increases your water bill and puts a strain on the environment.
Leaks can be as small as a drop every minute coming out of your faucet. If you don’t believe there’s a lot of water wasted, put a bucket or something that can collect water under the leaking faucet and leave it there for 24 hours. You may be shocked at the results.
If you have a water leak, immediately shutting off your water is important to keep costs down. Most homes have a main water shutoff valve near the water meter or where the main water line enters the house. It’s important to know where your shutoff valve is. Even if you don’t have a leak, take a minute to look for your valve.
Once you’ve shut off your water, call a plumber to repair the leak.
How to Know if You Have a Leaking Pipe
There are a few signs that can indicate you have a leaking pipe:
- If you hear water running or dripping when all water sources in your home are off, this is a sign of a leak.
- If there are wet spots on your walls, ceilings, or floors, this could be caused by a leaky pipe.
- If your floors feel spongy or soft, this is another sign that there could be a leak.
- If you have a decrease in water pressure, this could also mean that there is a leak.
- And one of the most obvious ones that we already went over but if your water bill increases suddenly.
You probably have a leak if any of these signs apply to you.
How To Clean Up After Repairs
How bad the leak was will depend on if you require professional help to clean up the damage. Start the clean-up as soon as possible. Mold can form within 24 hours and spread to areas not affected by water, so it’s very important to get rid of any standing water.
Open up windows and doors to get the air circulating. Use fans, dehumidifiers, and a wet vacuum to soak up wet spots on the carpet. Place the fans at wet spots on the wall. Make sure to remove any wet or dripping furniture from your home. If you have any water-damaged books, photos, or other paper items and don’t have time to individually dry each and every page, put them in a freezer bag and place them in the freezer so they will be protected from forming mold.
You will need to remove any wallpaper that was damaged by water. Use a pump sprayer to apply a special cleaner to the wallpaper and then scrape it off with a putty knife. If any paint has been peeling off the walls, you will need to remove it as well.
Water damage is a serious issue; the longer you leave the leak, the worse the damage will get. If you suspect a leak, call Certified Plumbing, and we can send out one of our professionals to diagnose the problem. No leak is too small.
