Friday, December 30, 2016

Don't Ignore These Signs of a Hidden Plumbing Leak

People think plumbing leaks are obvious. However, many leaks occur in hidden spaces such as behind walls or under cabinets. Many leaks initially go unnoticed for long periods. The longer they go undiscovered, the more damage they create.

Here are some signs of a hidden plumbing leak.

High Water Usage - An unexpectedly high water bill is a clear indication of a plumbing leak. Ideally, you want to discover the problem before this point because it means the problem existed for a while.

Paint & Wallpaper - Blistering paint or wallpaper is a good indication of a plumbing leak. However, in your bathroom, repeated hot showers and steam can also cause the same condition.

Walls & Floors - Warped and stained walls or buckling floors are telltale signs of a plumbing leak. A repair may require tearing down drywall or coming up below the floor.

Mold & Mildew - Of course, we are not talking about the kind of mold or mildew that sometimes accumulates on shower walls. If you find mold or mildew on non-shower walls or in corners leaking pipes are likely fueling the problem.

Ceilings - A leak from the second floor can create a wet spot on the ceiling below. A leak can also cause the ceiling to sag and begin cracking.

Smells - Are you familiar with the musky smell of old water? If you have a damp, earthy smell without any signs of water, there may be a leak and hidden water that is not able to dry.

If you have questions related to your plumbing in Ledgewood, NJ, just call The Polite Plumber at (973) 398-0875. We’ll never ask how it happened!