A plumbing leak is, without argument, one of the biggest enemies of pipes everywhere. What is it about a leak that makes it so frustrating? Well, for starters, even a seemingly “minor” leak like dripping faucets can waste a huge amount of water over time, resulting in higher than average water bills for you, for water you aren’t even using. These minor problems can trick you into thinking it’s no big deal, until you notice the cost of wasted water starting to add up.
More severe leaks can waste even more water, naturally, and do extensive damage to your property. And since most leaks develop in walls or beneath floors and above ceilings, they can go on for quite some time before becoming noticeable—after all, most of your plumbing system is hidden from view. Professional leak detection from a trained and experienced plumber in Santa Fe, NM is vital to pinpointing the exact location of your leak and repairing it. In the meantime, though, we’ve provided some tips below on how you can spot an issue on your own.
Track Your Water Bill
Spotting water leaks as soon as possible should be a priority for your household if you don’t want to waste water, energy, and money. But where do you start? Well, with your water bill. Keep in mind, as we mentioned above, that water leaks can exist for quite some time before they’re discovered. However, that doesn’t mean they aren’t causing problems in the meantime.
Even if you don’t have any visible signs of a leak, the dampness from even minor leaks can lead to issues like mold and mildew growth, and therefore it’s important to be diligent before this even has a chance to occur. One way to do so is by keeping a close eye on your water bill—if you suspect that yours doesn’t line up with your water usage, you could very well have a leak and it warrants a call to our team.
Listen for Unusual Sounds
Everyone always says to “keep an eye out” for plumbing problems, but what about listening? Running water makes a noise, whether it’s bubbling or just water passing through a pipe. If you live by a creek or stream of some kind, you know what we’re talking about.
However, if you hear water running elsewhere, like within your home, and you have no plumbing appliances running (check your toilet to make sure it’s not running excessively) and nobody is using a sink, then you might be hearing the results of a leak. Pinpointing the source of the leak before it causes damage is in your best interests, so be sure to give us a call if you suspect a problem.
The Nose Knows
Is there a musty odor wafting through your home? If there is, it may be due to damp conditions that you aren’t able to see. Again, it bears mentioning that a huge concern with water leaks is the potential for biological pollutants like mold and mildew to thrive, threatening both your health and the integrity of your property.
If you detect a mildew odor coming from anywhere in your home, it could very well be due to a water leak, especially if the smell is accompanied by any of the symptoms we mentioned above.
Roadrunner Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration is your trusted resource for plumbing repairs and more! Contact us today.
