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Signs You May Have a Leak in Your Plumbing

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Plumbing LeaksA leak will only get worse over time. It can wreak havoc on your Louisville Colorado home and even weaken your home’s foundation. As such, it is important to detect plumbing leaks before they have a chance to cause too much damage. Unfortunately, Louisville plumbing leaks can be quite difficult to detect.

The good news is that you don’t need to know everything to determine that something is wrong with your plumbing.  Here are 4 signs you may have a leak in your plumbing.

Mold

Mold thrives in moist, dark areas. The bathroom is one of the most common areas to find mold because it provides the perfect environment for mold to grow. If you found some mold or mildew spots in the bathroom despite regular cleaning, you may have a plumbing leak.

It is important to address this issue as early as possible because mold is not only expensive and time-consuming to eradicate, it may also pose a serious health risk to you and your family.

Your bill has gone up

If you notice a significant increase on your Louisville water bill for no apparent reason, it may be due to a plumbing leak. Compare your water bill from the same month from the previous year to ensure that the spike isn’t due to a seasonal change.

Running water meter

This is one of the easiest ways to confirm whether you have a leak of any kind. Simply turn off all the water systems in your home. Make sure the washing machine and dishwasher are not being used. Now, take a look at your water meter. If your water meter ticks continuously, this may indicate that you have a leaking pipe somewhere in your home.

Strange smell

Water may start to accumulate when a plumbing leak goes unnoticed for long periods of time. If a water leak is left unfixed, you may notice a musty, earthy smell in a certain area of your home.

 

Avoiding Plumbing Disasters While on Vacation

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You’ve bought your tickets, planned your itinerary and packed your suitcases. Everything is set and everyone is excited. But coming home from a memorable trip and learning that a pipe leaked or burst while you’re gone can be downright devastating.

Whether you’re leaving for a long weekend or a month-long getaway, proper preparation can help prevent coming home to a disaster. Here’s how to prevent plumbing disasters while on vacation.

Test your sump pump

Sump pump helps keep water out of your basement. If a major storm comes while you’re gone and your sump pump fails, you could come home to a flooded basement.

It’s a good idea to test your sump pump before you leave. Dump water down the sump pit and make sure that it’s in proper working condition.

Check for leaks

Even a small leak can turn into a large problem if left unattended. Inspect the water heater for cracks and rust. If that water tank leaks, you’d better catch it quick. Inspect the hoses, making sure that there are no leaks or kinks. Also, check all the pipes under the sink as this may also be a source of undetected leak. If you do find something, be sure to address the problem as soon as possible.

Turn off main water valve

Locate your main water shut off valve. If you don’t know where it is, look for you water meter. It should be located nearby. Turning off the main water valve cuts off water to the house. This is your best protection against catastrophic water damage.

Ask a friend to help

Ask a neighbor, a friend or a relative to check on your home periodically while you’re away just to make sure everything is in order. It may be a good idea to give this person a key to the house. Also, make sure that he or she knows where the main water valve is located in case a pipe bursts or leaks.

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