A plumbing leak within your home not only requires the trained services of a skilled plumbing professional to provide repairs, but it can also result in extensive property damage. A plumbing leak can quickly turn into a disaster, but you can minimise the damages by being on the lookout for any early signs of a water leak. Before your small leak turns into bursting pipes, there are signals that can alert you to a plumbing problem. It is important that you are aware of the most common signs of plumbing leaks.
Water Consumption
It is always a good idea as a homeowner to be familiar with the amount of water you consume each month. You likely have a water meter on your home that tracks the amount of water that you use. This figure is normally similar each month with very small changes. If you keep an eye on your water consumption, you might be able to detect rises in your water usage that could signal a small leak. When you have a plumbing leak, you are losing water. This will result in an increase in your water usage that can't be explained. Most of the small leaks in your home are due to dripping faucets. You might think that this is a very small amount of water, but it adds up over time.
Pressure
A change in the water pressure of your pipes can also be a telltale sign that you have a leak. This means that checking the water pressure regularly in your home is always advised. You might even be able to note changes in the water pressure when you are simply using your faucets. If there is a leak that exists in the pipes from the main city line going into your home, this could result in lower water pressure that is noticeable throughout your home. If you notice that only one fixture within your home has less water pressure, you likely have a small leak in a single pipe. Water pressure problems can also be a result of a clog within the drain, so you need to have all pipes thoroughly examined before you can determine for sure if a leak is present.
Bubbles
One of the first signs that you can identify with a plumbing leak involves small bubbles and cracks in walls or cleaning. You might not notice any standing water, but you will see signs that water is leaking at some rate and causing early signs of damage.
If you've noticed signs of a leak but can't figure out where it is, contact a local plumbing company that offers leak detection services. They can find the leak for you and help you repair it.