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There's No Such Thing As a "Small" Water Leak!

July 13, 2021
Water Damage Restoration

It’s more than “just a little water.”

Here’s why you should take every water leak seriously.

 

At some point, we’ve all been kept awake by the incessant drip…drip…drip…of a leaky faucet. But that’s just a small water leak. Nothing to worry about, right?

Wrong.

Leaks and water damage are the number one cause of insurance claims in America, costing billions of dollars each year to fix. This is partly due to the fact that water intrusion can come from a variety of sources—your roof, appliances, sinks, showers, toilets, drain lines, backups, storms, floods, and more.

In short, water leaks are more than just a drop in the bucket.

 

There’s No Such Thing as a “Small” Water Leak!

No water leak is 100% worry-free.

Water that drips from a leaky faucet into your sink might not cause thousands of dollars worth of damage, but it can rack up a charge on your water bill. That’s literally money down the drain!

Water dripping from faucet

Most leaks, however, cause a lot more damage.

If there’s an undetected leak under your sink or behind the walls, you could be looking at tens of thousands of dollars in mold removal and remediation, and repairs. And it only gets worse the longer it lasts. By the time you’re aware of the problem, you’ve got far more than a leaky pipe to worry about.

In some cases, it’s the water itself that’s the issue.

Water classified as “grey” or “black” is known to carry chemicals, bacteria, and diseases that could make your family sick. These types of water leaks should only be cleaned up by a water damage restoration professional.

how to spot a water leak

Signs of a Water Leak

Seeing water dripping or pouring out of your home is a surefire clue to the presence of a leak. But not every water leak will be this obvious.

  • High Water Bill – If your water bill is higher than normal (and you don’t remember using that much water), it could be due to an undetected leak.
  • Visible Stains – Even after it dries, water easily leaves stains on drywall. These mysterious gray or brown stains can show up on your walls and/or ceiling.
  • Bubbling Paint or Wallpaper – Wet drywall can also loosen the adhesive on wallpaper and collect behind your paint, causing it to stretch.
  • Musty Smell – There’s no sugar coating it: standing water (literally) stinks!
  • Mold – Mold can only live in a moist environment. Any time you have a mold issue, make sure that leak detection is a part of the process!

If you’ve taken all the steps to find a water leak but still haven’t found one, here’s a good way to test. First, make sure that all water sources are turned off in and around your house. (Don’t do this during the kids’ bathtime or while the sprinklers are on!)

Next, locate your water meter and make a note of the numbers on the display. After an hour, go out and check it again. If the numbers have changed, there’s a water leak somewhere in your home.

If you have confirmed (or suspect) a water leak, call a professional for an expert opinion.

 

Water Leak Prevention

As you might expect from living on a peninsula, preventing all water damage is next to impossible. (Hurricane season, anyone?) But there are steps you can take to minimize your risk of water leaking into your home.

First, check your roof, windows, and doors to make sure they are properly sealed against the elements.

Next, regularly check any exposed plumbing (under the sink, behind the washing machine, etc.) for leaks. Simply peeking under the sink once a month or so can save you from a costly ordeal later.

For a more “hands free” method, leak detectors can be a godsend. These handy gadgets can be placed at any potential leak location and will emit a loud noise if they detect water.

For added protection, you can purchase a whole home device that monitors your water usage to identify leaks. If a leak is detected, you will receive a notification through an accompanying app on your smartphone. Some models can even shut off the water supply to your home to prevent water damage.

Finally, if you have copper, consider upgrading to PVC. Copper pipes can develop pinholes over time and are more susceptible to corrosion.

 

Take Water Leaks Seriously!

There’s no such thing as a “small water leak.” Left on its own, even a small amount of water can cause a lot of damage.

Luckily, a good water damage restoration company can mitigate these effects and get you back on track.

At Axel Works, we are constantly learning about new equipment and techniques to bring you the best experience possible. Our trained technicians can be at your home or business in as little as two hours to assess the damage and develop a treatment plan.

With Axel Works, your water leak doesn’t have to leave you high and dry.

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