4 Obvious Signs of a Plumbing Leak

If your home has plumbing issues, it can be difficult to determine the cause. Plumbing leaks can be difficult to detect, but thankfully, you can look for some obvious signs. Read on to discover four obvious signs of a plumbing leak that you should not overlook.



1. Higher Water Expenses and Usage

Your water expenses depend on how your house uses the resource. For example, a family of four doesn't use more than 12,000 gallons of water each month unless you water a personal garden or lawn. If the water bill is much higher than usual and you and your family members have not increased water usage, this could be a sign of a leak.

The water meter is one way to see if there is a leak. Turn off all the water taps in your home, make sure the washing machine and dishwasher aren't running, and then check the water meter. Write down the numbers you see and come back in an hour to check them again. If the numbers have changed, you may have a leak somewhere.

Turn off the shut-off button on the main water supply pipe in the basement or utility room to find out if the leak is inside the house or outside. Again, look at the water meter, write down the numbers, and wait an hour. If the numbers haven't changed, the leak is inside the house. If the numbers have changed, the leak is in the underground water line that runs to the house.

High water bills can also show a water leak. If you usually pay a certain amount for your water bill every month and then it quickly goes up, this could mean you have a plumbing leak. Even small leaks, like a tap that drips constantly, can waste up to 10,000 gallons of water annually.

2. Water Damage

When a pipe, valve, or another part of the plumbing system breaks or rusts, water can leak and cause damage. Water damage can appear in many ways, such as discolored and stained walls and ceilings, paint or wallpaper that bubbles, musty smells, and broken walls or floors.

A plumbing leak can also manifest in the form of moisture coming from sinks, tubs, or toilets. Even something that seems harmless, like efflorescence on bricks and plaster, can be a sign of a hidden water leak.

Water leaks can cause many problems, like damage to your home's structure, mold growth, and even health and safety problems. If you don't fix water damage right away, it can cost a lot to fix and even hurt your health because of mold growth and humidity changes.

3. Low Water Pressure

You will notice a big drop in pressure when the waterflow in your home drops. For example, low water pressure can make the water from the showerhead, sink, or other sources flow more slowly. It can also make it hard to fill a sink or use the faucet to clean a dirty dish.

Low water pressure can result from a pipe breach that results in a water leak, so verify the issue with your water company, or ask neighbors if they have the same pressure problems to determine if you are the only one affected.

4. Dripping Sounds

Leaks can make different sounds based on how big they are and where they are. A small leak might make a dripping sound, but a bigger leak might make louder sounds. You can confirm these sounds by listening while no one uses any fixture in the house. Investigate these sounds carefully to figure out how big the problem is. If you are not confident in your inspection skills, leave the examination to a plumber.

Contact us at Hyper Flow Service Company if you need plumbing repairs and installations in Denver, CO, or the surrounding areas.