Water Leak Detection & Repair in Cumming, GA
Sometimes, water leaks are obvious: a burst pipe, a flooding basement, or other visual signs, such as standing water or wetness in places that should be dry. But other times, the signs may be more subtle, although the damage being done may mean impending disaster for your home or even your health. If you suspect a water leak, there are signs to look for and a few things you can do to try to verify whether you have a leak or not.
Signs of a Water Leak to Watch For
A persistent musty smell, an increasing water bill, accumulating water from an apparent drip that you can’t trace are all signs of a water leak that may be overlooked. A licensed plumber has the equipment and experience to locate and repair water leaks in places that you may be unable to see (or hear) before they cause extensive damage or become dangerous.
Peeling or discolored paint and wallpaper may indicate water damage due to a water leak that you can’t see. Short of cutting into your walls, professional leak detection equipment may be the only way to pinpoint the source of water.
Foundation cracks, pooling water, or an unexplained spike in your utility bill point to a possible slab leak, which can quickly become a risk for your entire structure.
Risks of a Water Leak
If you notice a musty smell, you not only need to be concerned about a water leak, but also the adverse health effects caused by mold. Mold can grow quickly – it can begin in as little as 24 hours – when a water leak is present. High humidity conditions, such as bathrooms that lack proper ventilation, are ideal conditions for mold to grow.
In addition to the health risks associated with mold, there is also the obvious risk of structural collapse, as well as the risk of fire. While it may seem counterintuitive that a water leak could cause a fire, if water comes into contact with electricity, there is not only the risk of electric shock, but contact with electrical wiring may cause sparks that could cause a structure fire.
What to Do if You Suspect a Leak
If you suspect a leak, turn off all sources of running water – faucets, spigots, the shower, as well as water hoses outside – and then check the water meter. If the meter is spinning after you’ve turned everything off, that’s confirmation that you have a water leak.
To try to pinpoint the leak, you can turn off toilets and appliances one by one to see if any of them make the meter stop spinning. However, it’s better to call in a plumber who can accurately and thoroughly locate and repair your water leaks. Water leak detection is relatively inexpensive, and the earlier the intervention, the less chance of the leak progressing into a damaging or dangerous complex problem.
Contact Fuller Plumbing for prompt and accurate water leak repair in Cumming.