Many modern homes have pipes concealed within floorboards and walls, so leak detection becomes more complex in these areas. While disguised in appearance, plumbing leaks can lead to devastating consequences and structural damage if not detected in time. This guide is designed to help you identify telltale symptoms of a concealed water leak in your bathroom wall.
Mould And Mildew Along Usually Dry Walls
While it's common for mould and mildew to develop along shower and other wet areas of your bathroom, it's rare to see this occur in dry wall areas, then it's likely a hidden leak in your bathroom wall. Mould typically grows in dark and wet areas, so if you notice it growing through walls, then call a professional plumber immediately to undertake leak detection. The plumber will assess the source of the leak and will recommend a solution.
Musty Smells In Well Ventilated Bathrooms
Water leaks concealed within walls will almost always grow mould if left undetected for a while. This will unearth a musty smell even if your bathroom is well ventilated throughout. If you walk into your bathroom and cringe at a musty or earthy smell in it, then it's probably because you have a hidden bathroom leak. Contact a professional plumber immediately to rectify the problem before it causes damage to your wall and floor structures.
Warped Or Blistered Walls
When your walls get wet, they will start to become soft and will warp or look blistered with bubble-like protrusions. If you notice the texture of your wall beginning to change and warp, then you may want to consider that you have a hidden wall leak somewhere. Keep in mind that steam showers are unlikely to cause this because your bathroom external walls are designed to handle the heat. Finding a leak behind your wall will be difficult on your own. A qualified plumber is best equipped to tackle and find your problem.
Dripping Noises
If you hear faint dripping sounds when everything else is quiet in the middle of the night with no signs of any visible leak, then you probably have a hidden leak somewhere within a wall or floor. These dripping noises may be faint, but they can be extremely damaging if left unchecked. You will need to hire a qualified plumber to detect and fix the leak.
Early leak detection will help you prevent a major plumbing catastrophe in your home, so be sure to look out for these symptoms and hire a plumber immediately to rectify any issues.
