Beware These Signs of Hidden Plumbing Leaks

One of the most common problems that you may have to deal with as a homeowner is that of plumbing leaks. Your pipes are designed to last a fairly long time. However, age and water pressure takes its toll, and you never know when a leak might occur somewhere in your plumbing system.

Trained plumbing professionals can remedy the issue very quickly in most cases—and you should always trust a professional to handle this type of repair work as they have the proper experience and licensing to do so. However, you can’t contact a plumber to fix a leak unless you know you have a leak, and since plumbing systems are large and extensive, and pipes hidden behind walls and in crawlspaces, they can be hard to detect.

The Problem with Hidden Plumbing Leaks

The problem with these hidden leaks is that dripping or running water, while not always easily detectable, can cause significant damage to the surrounding areas in your household, including drywall, flooring, and even electrical wiring. And since it’s hidden, this damage can become pretty extensive before signs of the damage are even noticeable. Additionally, you’re still paying for all that water that’s leaking, meaning you’re paying more than necessary for your monthly water bills.

You can save yourself a headache, not to mention a great deal of money, by spotting the signs of a hidden plumbing leak early on. The following are some common examples of things to watch out for (but signs are not limited to these examples):

• Strange Noises behind Walls: Occasionally you may hear groans, hums, or shudders coming from the pipes behind your walls. This isn’t necessarily unusual, but what is unusual is the sound of running or dripping water behind your walls, or rattling pipes.
• Soft Spots: Moisture from leaking pipes can damage the surrounding drywall, which will result in soft spots in your walls or floor.
• Loss of Water Pressure: A leak can reduce the flow of water from affected plumbing outlets, causing the water pressure to decrease.
• Development of Mold and Mildew: Even in cases where leaking water doesn’t cause actual damage to your home, it can still encourage the growth of mold and/or mildew behind your drywall. You may notice a musty, moldy smell accompanying it, which alerts you to the problem even if you can’t see the mold.
• Discoloration: Leaks can lead to discoloration on your walls or flooring. You might also notice cracks or bubbling in the paint on affected walls.
• Cracked Cement: If your leaky pipe runs under a cement porch or similar foundation, it becomes what is known as a slab leak and can cause cracks in that foundation.

The moment you notice any of these signs or even suspect that you have a leak, it’s time to turn off your water to the affected area and give our plumbers a call. If you aren’t sure of exactly what area is being impacted, you can use the main shut-off valve to stop the flow of water for the entire home.

Get peace of mind by calling Bell Plumbing and Heating, the company metro area homeowners have been trusting for their Denver, CO plumbing services and more, for over 90 years!