One of the most common problems that you might face as a homeowner is a plumbing leak. Your pipes are designed to last a long time, however, not forever. Age, water pressure, and outdated materials take a toll on your lines, and you never know when a leak might occur somewhere in your plumbing system.
From strange noises and soft spots to decreased water pressure, spotting these signs early is key to preventing extensive damage. Read on to learn more about hidden plumbing leaks and don’t hesitate to reach out to the expert Denver plumbers at Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical if you have questions or suspect you might have a leak!
A hidden leak with dripping or running water, while not always easily detectable, can cause significant damage to the surrounding areas in your home, including drywall, flooring, and even electrical wiring. And since it’s hidden, this damage can become extensive before signs of the damage are even noticeable.
Galvanized steel water pipes were once the standard in plumbing. Homes and buildings constructed before the 1960s likely have this type of water pipe. If you haven’t already replaced them, it’s time to consider repiping as soon as possible. Many of these pipes are weakened by corrosion. Neglecting to replace them can result in burst pipes and hidden plumbing leaks.
If you notice water marks or discoloration on your ceiling or walls, or if you smell damp or musty odors throughout your property, leaks may have developed in your home or building. Trained plumbing professionals can remedy the issue very quickly in most cases. However, you can’t contact a plumber to fix a leak unless you know you have one, and since plumbing systems are extensive, with pipes hidden behind walls and in crawlspaces, they can be hard to detect.
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:
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.
Moisture from leaking pipes can damage the surrounding drywall, which will result in soft spots in your walls or floor.
A leak can reduce the flow of water from affected plumbing outlets, causing the water pressure to decrease.
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.
Leaks can lead to discoloration on your walls or flooring. You might also notice cracks or bubbling in the paint on affected walls.
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 suspect that you have a leak, quickly 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.
Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical is the company metro area homeowners have been trusting for their Denver, CO plumbing services and more, for nearly 100 years.
We’re ready to answer your questions or schedule your appointment, call now or book online!
