Signs of a Hidden Plumbing Problem

Many times, plumbing problems aren’t intentionally ignored—they simply aren’t noticed until they become a significant issue. By this time, you’ve already experienced a great volume of water waste and necessary plumbing repairs may be more extensive. Keep reading to learn how to spot the signs of a hidden plumbing problem so you can address issues quickly and effectively to minimize water waste, inconvenience, and stress.

Signs of Water Damage

Noticeable signs of water damage anywhere in or around your home are worth investigating. Water damage can take many forms, ranging from damage to the finishes of your home to signs that your yard has been inundated with an overabundance of water. Signs to look for inside your home include crumbling or buckling walls, ceilings, and floors. Because water runs downward, you may find signs of damage one or even two floors below the actual leak. Check your bathroom floors for indications of buckling tile or soggy, spongy floorboards, which often indicate leakage around the base of your toilet. Water damage may also cause dark streaks on ceilings and walls or peeling paint and wallpaper. You may notice a musty, damp odor in your home or find evidence of mold and mildew. Outside your home, take a walk around your lawn every so often to test the firmness of the ground. Spongy areas could indicate a leak in your water main, sewer drain, or sprinkler system. Isolated areas of vegetation overgrowth are also signs that more water is going into your yard than you expect.

High or Unexplained Water Usage

In some cases, Anderson homeowners spot a hidden plumbing issue by inspecting their monthly water bills rather than their plumbing pipes. Each month, compare your water usage to the same month of the previous one to two years. Because water usage can change drastically with the season, this is a better method than simply comparing this month’s bill with last month’s charges. Keep in mind that your water usage may also vary from year to year due to increased or decreased occupancy of your home and new plumbing fixtures. However, if you notice an increase in water usage that can’t be explained by any of these factors, it’s time to call your plumber for an inspection to determine the cause of your increased water usage. Alternatively, you can keep an eye on your home’s water meter to determine if something is amiss. Turn off all the water sources in your home and check the reading on your water meter. Wait at least 30 minutes without using any water in your home (this includes flushing toilets). If the reading on the meter has gone up even without any water usage in your home, it’s a sure sign of a plumbing leak that should be addressed by a professional.

You can stop plumbing trouble as soon as it starts by identifying plumbing issues and calling in your Anderson Mr. Rooter plumber to handle the job. Check us out on the web to learn more about our full range of plumbing and drain-clearing services in your area, including eco-friendly and effective maintenance products. You can find more tips for maintaining your home’s plumbing on our blog.