Identifying Plumbing Leaks

Identifying plumbing leaks in your home won’t just help to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars for repairs to damaged walls, floors, ceilings, etc. — but being proactive about fixing them ASAP may also help prevent higher water bills each month.

As a homeowner, you already know how the rising cost of groceries and gas has prevented your family from being able to put as much into your savings account — or summer vacation travel fund — as you’d like. Having a destructive plumbing leak will dip into your family’s earnings even more.

Fortunately, you can do your part and help prevent plumbing leak disasters in your home by being mindful of the most common water leak warning signs. Read on to learn more.

Wet bathroom floors? This could be the culprit.

If you’ve noticed that your bathroom floors feel wet or soggy, the problem may be with your toilet. As time passes, the wax ring sealing your toilet to the floor becomes weak. When this happens, water in the bowl may start to leak out onto your floor, or even beneath it. Additionally, this is a problem that can be caused by misaligned pipes or valves that lead to your toilet.

Other than seeing noticeable water on the floor, a strong sewage odor emanating from the toilet bowl could indicate a problem with the toilet basin’s seal to your floor. Regardless of the cause, it needs to be remedied as soon as you notice the problem. Failure to do so could result in severely damaged flooring, which would require you to not only replace the floor itself, but the paneling beneath it. And if this problem is happening in a multi-level home, you may also have water damage on the ceiling below.

What’s happening in your cabinets?

Leaks originating from bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room sinks are common. Unfortunately, their warning signs aren’t always obvious. Check the cabinets beneath your sinks routinely and be on the lookout for any water spots or damage caused by a leaking pipe. Even if the water spot or damage you see doesn’t seem to be “that bad,” it’ll get much, much worse if you neglect the problem.

Leaking pipe problems are often caused by clogs, or worn-out and corroded lines. If you have an older home, the issue is more likely the result of the latter and it may be time to consider having the pipes replaced. However, if you don’t live in an older home, you may have a clog that needs to be taken care by a professional plumber.

It’s important to note that you can prevent a lot of pipe issues in your home by being careful with what you flush or wash down the drain. You should NEVER put the following down your sink: harsh chemical cleaners, dental floss, cooking oils/grease, batter, eggshells, or coffee grounds. As for your toilet, you should never flush the following: diapers, feminine hygiene products, paper towel, cotton balls/swabs, hair, or expired medications.

That drip-drop of the faucet isn’t going to fix itself…

If you often find your quiet time interrupted by the sound of a dripping faucet, don’t ignore it. Many homeowners make the mistake of forgetting about their leaking bathroom or kitchen sink faucet. They think that the water dripping out isn’t that much, so there’s nothing to really worry about. Wrong. This water loss adds up over time, and you will notice an increase in your monthly water bills.

Many times, a leaking faucet is the result of a problem with the O ring (this is the disc attached to the stem screw that helps to secure your faucet). The part may be improperly installed, or you could have a worn-out washer against the valve seat. A professional plumber will be able to quickly take care of the problem for you and, afterward, you’ll notice a positive difference in those water bills.

Is the water on the floor coming from the washing machine?

If you see water around the base of your clothes washer when you’re doing laundry, this could be the result of a loosened or worn-out hose that needs to be replaced. It’s recommended that you have your washing machine hoses replaced every few years.

As time passes and you use the machine, the hoses can become loose, and their connectors may become corroded/rusted. When this happens, water may leak each time you start a load of laundry. A plumbing pro will be able to replace the connectors and/or hose for you.

Don’t forget…

Water leaks don’t just cause unsightly damage to walls, floor, ceilings, etc. — and they also don’t just lead to higher-than-normal water bills to worry about each month. It’s important to note that all this moisture could lead to the development of mold. Mold is a fungus that survives on moisture, humidity, and organic materials that it can feed on (such as water-damaged flooring, walls, ceiling tiles, etc.).

Mold has the potential to cause serious medical problems, even in healthy individuals. Its growth could cause everything from skin rashes to respiratory problems. This is yet another reason, and likely the most important reason, why you need to be proactive about preventing and/or taking care of water leaks in your family’s home.