Most of your home’s plumbing is out of sight. It’s in the wall, in the basement or inside cabinets. Hidden water leaks can start slow and go undetected for days or weeks. Untreated, they can lead to damp spots, uneven flooring, water pressure problems, higher water bills and even health issues.
To avoid this costly problem, we hope to impress on you why it’s so important to find a hidden water leak and why it’s crucial to fix plumbing leaks as quickly as possible. Here are three major problems hidden leaks could cause for you if you fail to notice them sooner rather than later.
Plumbing Leaks attract pests
One of the biggest reasons pests want to get into homes is moisture. Everything needs water, after all.
Roaches, silverfish, centipedes, earwigs, and even mice seek out hidden leaks as a source of moisture. Moisture-loving pests like these can spread illness, inflict structural damage on your home, and just plain make life unpleasant.
If your pest problem seems insurmountable, try calling your plumber. By cutting them off from their source of water, you can eliminate pests from your home.
The health risks of water damage
Hidden leaks displace a significant about of water into the nooks and crannies of your home. All that water creates a humid environment that’s perfect for mold and mildew to grow. Mold and mildew are dangerous airborne pollutants that can cause a variety of health concerns including:
- Throat irritation
- Respiratory problems
- Sinus problems
- Skin rashes
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headaches
- Memory loss
Indoor air pollutants like mold and mildew are one of the top five environmental risks to public health. Mold and mildew are particularly dangerous to people with asthma or other pre-existing respiratory illnesses.
Mold remediation is an expensive process – address the cause of mold in your home before it becomes a significant health risk and expense.
Structural damage from water in your home
These are the telltale signs that you have a hidden leak:
- Stains
- Discoloration
- Warping
- Peeling paint
- Musty odor
Follow the damage to find your leak. Unfortunately, when you can see this level of damage, it’s often already extensive.
Over time, water from hidden leaks makes its way into the structure of your home. Your drywall absorbs this water and swells up or warps over time. The framing within the drywall will warp and bend along with it. Whole walls or ceilings can become rotted and eventually breakdown and cause serious structural problems.
Hopefully your plumber can make things right before you have to call your contractor.
Plumbing Leak Detection for Dallas, Texas
If you’ve seen signs of hidden leaks in your home, Ben Franklin Plumbing is always ready to help. Call or contact us for expert plumbing leak repair in the Dallas, Carrolton, Plano and McKinney areas. It’s always better to be safe than sorry–especially when the health and safety of your family are at risk.