Has Your Water Bill Spiked? Four Steps fir Determining if Your Plumbing Has Sprung a Leak
Some kinds of plumbing leaks are quite obvious. For example, if you come home to a flooded bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom, then you can be fairly confident there is a problem. However, if your water bill has spiked and there isn't an obvious sign of a leak, you could still have one. Here are four steps to determining whether or not your plumbing has sprung a less obvious leak.
1. Inspect the Flooring
If you have a plumbing leak, your floors are generally the first to show signs. Walk around to the corners and edges of your floors, near the water sources, and feel the flooring. If it is damp, a severe leak is most likely present. If the flooring is curling or lose, you should definitely consider calling a professional because chances are you have sprung a leak.
2. Inspect the Ceilings
Your ceilings are also a reliable indicator that you have a leak in your home. Check the ceilings and floors below water appliances and bathrooms for water spots.
Walking around your house to check all of your ceilings is prudent. Should any internal pipes that aren't close to your bathroom or kitchen water sources be leaking, you'll spot the signs. Water spots are discolored and should be easy to find, and they definitely indicate a need for further investigation and possibly professional help.
3. Inspect the Water Sources
The best way to identify a leaking problem is by going directly to the source itself. There are several ways to see if your pipes have a leak, but this is the most in depth. Try plugging the drain for whatever you suspect is leaking, and then pour water in the other end. If after about an hour the water level has gone down, you have a leak to find.
4. Inspect the Walls
Examining your walls is another method for discovering a leak in your plumbing. The walls will begin to grow mold because of the constant moisture from the leak. This method of identifying a leak is not very reliable because mold can grow inside of the wall or be otherwise invisible, but it can indicate a leak if the mold begins to grow visibly and rapidly. Some houses are older and will have mold on the walls for other reasons, but if you notice new spots on the walls, chances are you have a leak.
Identifying a leak in your plumbing isn't fun, but it is important to pay close attention to your house. Leaks leave signs, and it's up to you to find them. For help with your plumbing needs or for more information, call a company like Mike Hensley Plumbing Inc.