If you are renovating your home and want to make it safe for you and your family, it is not just about investing in the right equipment and implements, but it’s about having a very proactive perspective. In our home environment, we’ve got to be prepared for any issues that can occur over time. One of the most common is a leaky pipe. But a lots of leaks go unnoticed by homeowners. This is why it’s important to note the warning signs. Here are some of the key ones.
Your Water Bills Going up (and Up)
While your water bill may usually go up in the summer months because you are watering the lawn and the kids are playing in the pool, if the bill continues to creep up, this could be the sign of a leaking pipe. If it usually starts small and creeps up a little every single month, but you could find that one month you’ve got an inexplicably larger bill. But if you don’t get it fixed, it’s going to damage your home. There are companies like Off Tap Plumbing that can always get to work in an emergency situation. But it’s important to keep an eye on that water bill, as this is one of the first common signs that any average person can notice.
A Funny Smell
Sometimes you can smell problems before you see them. If a room smells musty, this could be down to mould and mildew. While a little mould and mildew are normal in the shower areas, if you can see this outside of the bathroom, it could be a leak. But if it’s not visible, a musty smelling room usually hints at a leaky pipe. This is because water sticks in one place and starts to stagnate, gradually producing a foul smelling odour.
Cracks in the Foundation
While homes can settle over time, resulting in small hairline cracks in the drywall or the ceiling, if you notice a sudden crack, and it’s is a particularly wide one, this could be the cause of a leaking pipe that could threaten to undermine the foundation of your home. If you don’t sort this right away, it could cause the foundation to sink, resulting in windows, floors, and doors tearing apart.
Wet Spots
Wet spots are not too common inside the home. However, you could find some outside your home next to the property or on the lawn. You will usually see puddles or mud around the exterior walls if there hasn’t been any rain. But sometimes you can find a wet spot in the home, this will cause mould and mildew to follow, and potentially structural damage.
A Running Water Meter
If you’ve shut off all the water in the property the meter should stop, and this is one of the best ways to test if there is a leak in the property. But if the water meter is still running, it’s likely you have a leaking pipe.
These are some of the common signs in a property and don’t forget, if you are noticing any signs of a leak, you’ve got to fix it as soon as possible!