Devastating Disasters presents: subtle signs there’s a hidden leak in your home!
If you’ve watched any TV shows or movies where characters have to deal with a leak, you’ve probably seen this emergency situation pictured as a strong stream of water bursting from a broken faucet with the force of a fire hose.
But really, it’s much different, and sometimes there are subtle signs that indicate there’s a hidden leak in your home. While this problem can be fixed, it can have a serious impact on your house and finances.
What’s worst about this major problem is that certain leaks can stay undetected for a long time and only come to light after significant water damage has been caused.
If you’re concerned that there might be a hidden leak in your house, keep reading because we’ll teach you how to detect it. Without further ado, here are 7 signs there’s a hidden leak in your home!
1. High water bill
If you don’t have extra people in your household or don’t consume more water than usual, your water bill tends to stay consistent throughout the year.
However, if you notice that the water bill is higher than normal and you have no idea why, it might be a subtle sign that there’s a hidden leak in your home. The more water goes to waste, the higher the bill, so it might be time to do a little inspection.
2. Weird smells
Hidden leaks generally take place in dark spaces, such as under carpeting or behind walls. Unfortunately, moisture and darkness can create perfect conditions for the growth of mold or mildew.
If you notice a musty smell and have no idea what it means, it might be a hidden leak. Besides this weird smell, you might also feel the scent of mildew, rotting wood, or stagnant water, so inspect your home ASAP.
3. Wet spots
Generally speaking, wet spots appear as damp patches on your carpet, and they are the start of a mess. Moreover, puddles on the floor in your home’s basement can be a subtle sign that there’s a hidden leak.
In cases of more severe problems, you might notice unexpected puddles outside or lush, green areas in your yard that will send you a signal that something isn’t right in either your main water line or your sewer connection.
4. Reduced water pressure
Did you know that leaks, malfunctioning valves, and silt accumulation in pipelines are common causes of low water pressure? Poor water pressure can cause you a lot of discomfort, such as taking more time to do the dishes, rinse your hair, or wash your hands, but besides that, it can indicate there’s a hidden leak in your home.
When there’s a leak in your home and the problem is getting serious, you might notice that less water will run through your pipes to where you need it.
It’s normal for water pressure to drop when you use multiple fixtures at the same time, but if that’s not the case, calling a plumber might be the smartest thing to do.
5. Water stains
Another subtle sign that there’s a hidden water leak in your home is the appearance of a dark patch or other discoloration on the ceiling. These unpleasant things will let you know that there might be a roof leak.
However, if you have a bathroom upstairs and a discolored patch on the ceiling underneath it, the leak is probably coming from that area. While it’s common for leaks to take a while until they’re discovered, you should take care of the issue as soon as you notice any signs, because it can cause you additional problems in the long run.
6. Strange noises
When your home’s plumbing system is operating correctly, it can be quite noiseless. However, your plumbing can make odd noises, such as rattling, for a number of reasons.
For instance, sounds that vibrate or rattle could mean a loose fitting or mount in one or more of the lines. If that’s the case, they might also be the ones to blame for any damage that a water leak is causing to your interior walls.
We already said it, but it’s critical to identify the source of any unusual noises in your pipes, such as rattling or hissing, and call a plumber to fix this problem for you, especially if you hear water running when your fixtures are off.
7. Blistering wallpaper or paint
If the wallpaper or the gorgeous paint on your wall starts to blister or peel, you might have a hidden leak somewhere inside the wall. Unfortunately, the peeling or blistering means that the leak has been there for a long time and has to be fixed ASAP to stop more harm from happening.
Wood and drywall can absorb moisture, which frequently damages the structure beneath the wall. If that’s the case, a replacement might be needed to fix this issue. As we’ve already said, inspect your home right away if you notice any of these subtle signs of a hidden leak. The faster you deal with it, the better it will be.
Did you find this article about subtle signs that there’s a hidden leak in your home useful? Leave a comment below and let us know! If you’d like to read something else from Devastating Disasters, here’s a good article to check out next: Travelers Beware, These Are the 7 Most Dangerous Countries in the World
