Symptoms of a Hidden Water Leak

Washington residents know better than most how much damage water can cause if allowed to collect. Your home is one of your most vital assets, and, as the weather warms up for spring and summer, it may be in danger of springing a leak. With an influx of April showers and a lack of dry weather to evaporate all that moisture, it’s important to know how to spot and prevent water leaks in your home. Water damage can significantly compromise the integrity of your home and can endanger the health of you and your loved ones. Stop water damage in its tracks by learning how to track down elusive leaks in your home.

Warping and Bubbling

When left to its own devices, water can cause some serious structural damage to your home, especially if your house has wooden elements such as hardwood floors or wood doorways. Examine your home’s walls for signs of chipping paint or bubbling wallpaper. As water seeps between the wall and the paint or wallpaper, it can break down the adhesive bond, causing chipping, peeling and bubbling. Drywall is especially susceptible to bubbling as it soaks up more water from a leak. Your home’s damage may not be so obvious, though. Check your walls, floors and ceiling for warping, which causes your home’s flat surfaces to twist or skew slightly. This could be a sign of a major leak that can ruin the structure of your home.

Mold

As one of the most dangerous signs of water damage, mold and mildew can prove life-threatening to individuals with severe allergies, asthma or a particular sensitivity to airborne allergens. For this reason, it’s imperative that water leaks are treated as soon as possible. Mold tends to thrive in moist, dark places like walls or attics, but it can typically be identified by its stale smell. If you notice a stench in your home, search top to bottom for mold. The location of the mold colony can help you track down the leak and get it repaired quickly.

Stained Walls, Ceilings or Floors

Water has a way of carrying with it all the impurities and grime from whatever it comes into contact with. When you have a hidden leak in your home, one of the more obvious ways to see where your leaky pipe is hiding is by searching for discoloration and staining of the floors, walls or ceiling. After the water has been absorbed into the walls or floor, it will begin to deposit dirt, rust and other undesirable sediment into the material, leaving it semi-permanently stained. This can make for some costly repairs and long days spent scrubbing away the discoloration. If you notice strange stains developing, it’s time to call in an expert plumber to hunt down and repair the leak.

Keep Your Home Safe and Dry with South West Plumbing

Springtime showers may bring flowers, but they also come with the potential for water damage and leaky pipes. Keep your home in tip-top shape with the experts at South West Plumbing. To schedule your inspection, contact us online.