Leaks are undesirable for most homeowners. As they can cause extensive home damage, potentially leading to costly and time-consuming repairs. Accurately diagnosing, locating, and repairing a leak is not meant for the inexperienced. As there are several systems, pipes, fixtures, and equipment within your home that can spring a leak. That is why it is important to hire a licensed and experienced plumbing professional to assist with diagnosis and repairs.
In this blog, we’ll review different ways to identify if there is a leak at your home, the different types of systems that could be leaking, and how a licensed plumber can assist with diagnosis and repairs.
Recognizing the Signs of a Leak
As a homeowner, it is important to be able to identify if there are any ongoing issues or leaks at your home. If caught early, recognizing the signs of a leak can potentially save you from extensive home damage and costly repairs. Below are a few common signs of a leak.
- Wet stains on the sheetrock
- Increase in your utility or water bill
- Sound of running water when water is not in usage
- Damp floors or carpet
- Mold growth
- Frequent sewage backups or clogs
- Excess water in your yard
- Water leaking from your fixtures
- Toilet continuously running
Depending on the type of leak, there are a few things that you can do to prevent further damage. For starters, if the leak is on a plumbing fixture or water line, then you may want to turn off the shut off valve to that particular fixture or potentially the main shut off valve. By turning off the shut off valve, you are preventing water from being supplied to the fixture or pipes. From there, contact a trusted and licensed plumber to assist with furth diagnosis and repairs.
HVAC Leaks
As it starts to get warmer here in Houston, Texas, it’s important as a homeowner to periodically check on and inspect your hvac equipment. That is because hvac systems are notorious to spring a leak or cause frequent clogs during these warmer summer months. Most of the time, a licensed hvac technician is able to address any issues with your hvac system. However, if your condensate line for your hvac system is tied into one of your drains, like a lavatory sink and it is frequently clogging, then a licensed plumber is the best one to assist with repairs.
Outdoor Water Leaks
If you have an outdoor water leak and don’t know where to begin, here are some helpful suggestions to address the issue. For starters, do you know where the leak is coming from and where your shut off valves are? Turning off your main shut off valve will prevent a continuous supply of water to your home and can be vital when dealing with major leaks. Secondly, if you have an outdoor water leak and are unsure if it is on your side of the water meter, give your local MUDD/utility district a call. Your local utility district should be able to determine if there is a leak and if it is on your side of the meter and your responsibility to repair.
For outdoor water leaks, it can be helpful to know what equipment or system is leaking. For example, homeowners that have multiple systems, like an irrigation system and pool equipment, should try to determine which system is leaking beforehand. This way you contact the correct type of professional to assist with repairs. Determining the general system a leak is located on can potentially save you time and money. Below are a few types of systems that may be leaking (if applicable to your home):
- Main water line
- Hosebibb/Spigot
- Pool equipment
- Irrigation system
- Well equipment
- City Meter
- Sprinkler Backflow
- Main water riser
Call A Licensed Plumber
Time and time again, we hear our technicians say ‘no two leaks are the same.’ With various fixtures and systems inside and outside a home, it definitely can be difficult to determine where a leak is located. If you suspect there is a leak at your home but don’t know where to start, call a licensed plumber to assist. Depending on what’s occurring, your licensed plumber may start off by performing a visual inspection. If further diagnosis is needed, they could recommend opening up the walls by removing sheetrock, or to perform a leak detection or smoke detection test. Once your technician is able to diagnosis and locate the leak, they should review their findings and available repair/replacement recommendations.
Call Show Plumbing Today
If you are worried about leaks in your home, our team here at Show Plumbing is here to assist. With 24/7 emergency service, our technicians are here to assist you with any plumbing emergencies. Our licensed and reliable technicians will assess your concerns, provide upfront recommendations, and perform quality repair. To schedule service, call us today at 281-860-2000.