A water leak can cause a substantial amount of damage to your walls and flooring if left unattended. Unfortunately, a leak is not always obvious right away, and they can silently do a lot of damage before you are aware of them. If you know some of the first sings, then you can call in a professional immediately to detect any leaks, and if needed, fix the problem sooner rather than later. This way you can save yourself a lot of money and trouble.
Unexplained Sound of Dripping Water
When all your taps, showers and sprinklers are off, and you can still hear drips of water that is definitely a sign that further investigation is needed. This is one of the most obvious signs, and can usually be caught early.
Mold and Mildew
If an area on your ceiling, floor and the inside or outside of a wall has mold or looks stained, then that indicates there is moisture trapped inside. This generally means it has been there for some time as mold has already started to grow. You may need to check under carpets, behind sinks and toilets and any other dark places. Some mold in the bathroom is normal, especially near the shower area, but if it is far from the shower, then it should be investigated further.
Damaged Paint or Wall Paper
In some cases, the wall paper or paint may be stopping mold to grow, but the wall-paper may look as if it weathered or coming loose. Moisture has gotten in-between the paper or paint and the wall and destroyed the bond holding it to the wall.
Crumbling Walls and Uneven Floors
Some walls, such as drywall, start to bubble and begin to crumble when they have been exposed to moisture.
Moisture
Long exposure to moisture will cause just about any kind of material to change, so if your floor is showing uneven parts, is a little unsteady in places or crackling; a leak from a water pipe under the floor is very likely.
Smell of Moisture
Sometimes you may not be able to see the signs, depending on the kind of walls and floors you have. Nevertheless, you may notice a strange smell, a damp earthy kind of smell, which could be coming from the walls or drains. This is another strong indicator that moisture has leaked in to the ceiling, walls or floors.
Unexplained Changes in Your Water Meter
If you notice that even when you are not at home your meter shows that water has been used, there very well may be a leak. Monitor the meter for a day, and if you have any doubt, call a professional. It is not something you want to figure out on your own.
Leak detection by a professional plumber can be a time and money saver for any homeowner. Make sure you have a preferred local plumber to call when you suspect a leak. In Orlando, FL, no plumber matches the effective leak detection prowess of Shamrock Plumbing & Drain Cleaning, Inc. We impress with highly accurate and affordable service so that you can have peace of mind in calling in a professional for the job. Leaking pipes are no light matter. When you suspect a leak in your home, give us a call at (407) 305-6183 right away.