At some point, every homeowner will experience a leak. The longer you’ve lived in your house, the greater the chances you’ll have one. The good news is they’re usually simple to fix. The bad news is you may only realize there’s a problem once you see water on the floor or walls or smell mold. If a water leak from a pipe, a dishwasher, or another appliance gets out of control, you could face thousands of dollars in water and water-related damages such as mold remediation.
Here are six ways water leaks can damage your home and how you can prevent them.
1. Water Leaks Can Cause Mold Growth
Your home doesn’t have to experience flooding to create the conditions for mold to grow. Even a minor leak can result in unhealthy and destructive mold. A type of fungus, mold is found in the air and on walls, furniture, and other surfaces. Depending on its location, mold can cause respiratory infections and asthma attacks and make allergy symptoms worse. Mold can also damage property and cause financial loss. Plus, i’s difficult to clean and get rid of.
When there’s a water source nearby, mold spreads quickly. All it takes is a leaky faucet or pipe for the dampness to attract mold spores. Leaks should be taken care of immediately to prevent illness and property damage. Our expert leak detectors at Bobby L Greene Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Co. can solve your problem quickly.
2. Leaks Can Destroy a Home’s Foundation
Every home’s foundation needs to be strong. If the foundation is compromised, it can pose a threat to a house’s stability. Left untreated, water leaks can ruin your home’s foundation. Floors, ceilings, and walls can become damaged and wood and plaster could rot. Eventually, the stability of your home may become threatened. You’ll have to pay thousands in repairs to keep your house from sinking or falling apart.
Never ignore a water leak. Small leaks like those that occur during construction to more significant leaks from faulty pipes can all threaten your home’s foundation.
3. Leaks Can Ruin Your Flooring
Flooring is one of the most expensive parts of your home to replace or repair. Wood, vinyl, and carpeted flooring is especially vulnerable to water damage from leaks. Floors are also the parts of a room where you’re most likely to see the effects of water damage. If you see wet spots, mold, or discolored carpet, it’s important to act right away. The professionals at Bobby L Greene Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Co. can help if you notice wet spots in your house.
The concrete or wood beneath your flooring that supports it can also become damaged from unattended water leaks. Damaged subflooring can cause your floors to look swollen or buckled. The floor may feel soft or squishy when you walk across it. Both flooring and subflooring with water damage can support the growth of mold. Both will have to be replaced.
4. Leaks Can Ruin Your Possessions
Water leaks can do more than compromise the structure of your home; they can also cause the growth of mold and ruin your electrical system. Your home is the keeper of all of your personal property. If water gets to your things, it can permanently damage your possessions from books and important papers to electrical appliances and electronic devices. Water damage can also cause the growth of mildew that will ruin clothing and linens.
5. Leaks May Cause Electrical Problems
Everyone knows that water and electricity don’t mix. One of the worst hazards of water leaks is your home’s electrical system. Since water is one of the conductors of electricity, the moisture from a water leak can cause short circuits. For example, if your dishwasher springs a leak, your electrical system may short circuit and lead to a power outage in your home. The leak can also cause corrosion or rusting or cause the electric motor inside of your dishwasher to burn out faster.
If the leak is severe enough, appliances can overheat or burst into flames. That’s why it’s important to contact Bobby L Greene Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Co. to perform a leak detection in your home.
6. Leaks Can Damage Walls
When drywall is exposed to water, over time, it will swell with moisture and begin to split. Not only does this lead to structural issues in your home’s foundation, but the damages will also run into thousands of dollars. The best way to avoid this catastrophe is to have one of our professionals from Bobby L Greene Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Co. check for potential leaks before they get out of control.
Leaks can cause the wood your home is made of to decay and rot. You may miss seeing any signs of moisture even as the decaying process has started. Look for these signs of rot and take action right away.
- Sagging floors and ceilings
- Pitting on exterior side walls
- Creaking noises in parts of home
- Rust around doors and windows
Ways to Prevent Leaks
You’ve heard the old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” You can prevent most leaks by being proactive and taking the following steps.
Update Your Pipes
If your pipes are old, they may have tiny gaps that let water seep into your crawl space or basement. New pipes won’t have these gaps. At Bobby L Greene Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Co., we have professionals who can repipe your old plumbing system or install piping as part of a renovation.
Avoid Toilet Tank Cracks
Correct uneven surfaces and cracks in your toilet’s tank by installing a rubber stopper at the bottom of it.
Install an Aerator
Place an aerator in the fill valve of the toilet. This will lessen air bubbles and help prevent clogs.
Seal Off Any Holes
Check walls and ceilings frequently for any evidence of leakage. Plus, have any holes filled in by a professional.
Check Your Faucets
Make sure any faucets aren’t dripping within five minutes of turning them off.
Why It’s Important to Check for Leaks
Most homeowners are either too busy or don’t have the expertise to regularly check for leaks. Professional plumbers have the knowledge and equipment to detect leaks, identify their source, make quick repairs, and eliminate future issues, saving you thousands of dollars in repair bills down the road.
What to Do If You Have a Leak Right Now
If you have a minor leak you need to take care of while you’re waiting for a professional, doing these two simple things can help. If you have a leaking pipe in your kitchen or bathroom, place a drip pan under the sink so that the dripping water won’t reach other surfaces. If the water leak is from a burst pipe, shut off the water supply so that your home doesn’t flood.
Rely on the Pros
Servicing Shreveport-Bossier City and the surrounding area, the team at Bobby L Greene Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Co. can handle any plumbing job. From leak detections to piping and repiping to drain cleaning and sewer work, we’ve got you covered. We also offer water heater and HVAC services. Our family-operated business has been serving the area since 1959. If you suspect you have a water leak or simply want peace of mind, call us today for our leak detection services or any other plumbing problems.
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