We’ve all seen those movies or TV shows when a character walks into their home on a rainy day to discover water pouring from a spot on their ceiling. There are usually buckets involved and as dramatic as it is, it’s also usually resolved pretty quickly.
We have some bad news for you. Fiction is definitely not reality. The truth is, most leaks are actually from plumbing systems, not damaged roofs and rainy days. And once they’re coming through your ceiling or drywall, they’ve gotten really bad. They’ll require professional plumbing repairs and probably repair to your property as well.
We’d like to help you avoid getting this far. Fortunately, there are some ways you may be able to detect a leak before that leak grows dramatic-movie-worthy. Read on as we uncover the top 5 signs that you have a plumbing leak.
A Spike in Your Water Bills
Have you discovered that no matter how cognizant you are about your water use, your water bills seem to just keep increasing? Don’t assume the price has gone up in your municipality and shrug it off. This is actually the sign of a potential leak. What’s happening is water is leaving your system form somewhere, whether it’s beneath your home’s slab, behind drywall, or elsewhere. And you’re paying for that water, even though you aren’t using it.
A Drop in Water Pressure
You might notice this first at your kitchen sink faucet, or perhaps from your shower head. One thing is for sure—reduced water pressure is always noticeable. That said, it’s not something to ignore! It can be the sign of a leak or even a pipe rupture depending on how sudden and severe the decline was.
The Sound of Running Water with No Taps On
Take a stroll around your living space and listen for the sound of running water. If you don’t have any taps or plumbing appliance son and you’re hearing this, then the source could very well be a leak somewhere in your home.
A Running Water Meter
Okay, now make sure no plumbing appliances are on. Take a look at your water meter, and then go take another look in 15 minutes. If there’s a change even though nothing was turned on, then it’s indicative of a leak.
The Smell of Mold or Mildew
This is never a fun odor to detect! But if you’ve walked into a room of your home to discover something smells off, it’s definitely worth investigating. This is particularly true if it smells damp or you pick up specifically on the scent of mold. You likely are not imagining this—it’s probably caused by a leak that’s introduced the perfect conditions for mold or mildew growth.
“Okay, I have a leak. Now what?”
Give our team a call! Not only will we be able to accurately locate where your leak is happening, but we can fix it promptly, and inspect the rest of your plumbing as well to make sure there aren’t any other threats to the system.
For expert plumbing service, installations, or maintenance contact Reliance Plumbing Sewer & Drainage, Inc. and get in touch with a professional plumber in Wilmette, IL. Our knowledgeable plumbers serve the North Shore and Northwest Chicago suburbs. Rely on Reliance!