Did you know that water leaks can happen anywhere in the house and cause costly damage if not repaired on time? Identifying the exact location of the leak is the first step in solving the problem.

A cracked or damaged pipe can be more risky than expected since, in addition to representing economic losses, it could endanger the family’s health. While wear and tear can be due to the passage of time, it can also be caused by poor installation or poor-quality materials.

Water leaks are very common in the home and are the cause of the appearance of humidity and leaks. Therefore, you have to know how to act in these cases and thus prevent the leak from continuing to spread. In this article you will learn more information that will help you repair and prevent this problem, so don’t leave and continue reading.

If you need optimized plumbing services, remember that you can count on Guru Plumbing to help you repair your leaks or any other plumbing problem anytime.

What are the Dangers of Leaks?

Water leaks in pipes can cause a range of issues, including water stagnation, humidity in floors and walls, and flooding. In addition to these problems, it can also lead to decreased durability of household goods, such as rust on electrical appliances and fungus on clothing or furniture. 

Possible accidents can also occur due to short circuits and conductivity caused by water in contact with electrical devices. Moreover, coming into contact with black mould and saltpetre can cause allergies, difficulty in breathing, dizziness, and different respiratory diseases, which can lead to health problems. 

Additionally, even without having changed habits, an increase in water consumption and receipt may happen in such cases. To avoid these scenarios, it is important to pay attention to any changes that occur in your walls or floors and call an expert to make Plumbing Maintenance Services.

How Do you Know Where the Water Leaks?

If you are aware that your home has water leaks but don’t know exactly where, the first thing you need to know is that they are undoubtedly easier to locate during the rainy season since the humidity of the storm helps detect the leak and the appearance of stains.

Now, if the rainy season has not yet started or has already ended, other factors can help you know where the leak is. Some alerts that will help you in your search are the following:

Look for puddles of water

It is obvious that when there is a leak, drops or puddles of water are present; however, the complicated thing about this point is that the location of the leaks is difficult to find, so it will take you a long time to search. The other disadvantage of this method is that you may not find any puddles because the filtration stage is not yet that advanced.

Texture changes and discoloration

If there is a water leak, you will probably notice some discolouration on the wall as it will begin to turn a very light grey colour. In addition, the paint will begin to crack, air bubbles will appear on the surface, and the texture of the wall will gradually change.

Signs of Mould

mould is a clear indication of the presence of leaks, so you must be alert at this point, since at this stage, not only is the structure suffering from deterioration due to the damage, but also health can be affected by being in direct contact with fungi. Remember that when you first see mould, you must act as soon as possible to prevent its spread.

Musty smell

The musty smell is the result of excess humidity in the environment, it is an aroma that quickly permeates everything inside the home and ends up affecting clothes, shoes, food, and other personal things. Therefore, if your home smells like this, let yourself be guided by your sense of smell and you will find where the leak is coming from.

Common places where water leaks occur

Water leaks in basements

Water leaks in basements usually come from broken pipes, cracks in walls, floors, or foundation problems. An easy way to find the reason is to inspect the walls and floors carefully after heavy rain to look for moisture buildup. optimized plumbing services can help you detect these leaks

Also, we can use powdered chalk along pipes and other connections. If lines of dissolved chalk appear after rain, it will be clear where the leak is. Options for repairing basement leaks include: sealing cracks with hydraulic cement, installing a waterproofing system, or replacing damaged sections of pipe.

Leaks in ceilings and walls

Leaks in roofs and walls are another common problem. These are mainly caused by damaged exterior shingles or coverings that allow leaks when it rains. To solve it, the first thing will be to identify the broken or missing tiles that allow water to pass through. Then, we can replace or reseal them using special outdoor products.

Other roof or wall leaks may be due to problems with gutters, downspouts, or blocked vents. For their part, they cause water to stagnate and leak inside. Cleaning and unclogging these areas usually resolves the problem.

Water leaks in bathrooms

In bathrooms, leaks are usually linked to leaks in the connections under bathtubs and showers. Resealing loose tiles or cracks with flexible products can help. If the problem persists, the condition of the waterproof membrane will have to be checked; This is located behind the siding and plumbing connections.

Detecting and repairing water leaks quickly using appropriate solutions will prevent further damage to the home. Likewise, maintaining periodic control is key; especially after heavy rains, to prevent problems in time.

How to replace damaged pipe sections

When damaged pipe sections are identified, replacement is essential to prevent leaks and damage to the home structure. Optimized Plumbing Services are necessary to carry out this process, following the steps below:

• Turn off the water supply. Before any intervention, be sure to close the main shut-off valve.
• Drain residual water. Open nearby faucets to reduce water pressure and drain any remaining debris.
• Cut away the damaged section. Use a saw to cut the pipe at both ends of the damaged section and remove it.
• Install the new pipe. Place the new PVC pipe (recommended) into the space, making sure it is properly aligned and secured. Use proper connectors and sealants to ensure a tight joint.
• Reconnect the connections. Reattach any accessories or connections that you removed during the process.
• Restores water supply. Once the new pipe is in place and all connections are secure, you can resume the water supply.

If the broken pipe is inside a wall, it is necessary to knock it down to replace it; later, the wall is rebuilt and painted so that the section is new without moisture stains or mould.

Conclusion

In short, the presence of water leaks in different areas of the home can cause significant damage if not addressed immediately. These measures will preserve the structural integrity of the home and avoid costly long-term problems.

Guru Plumbing has vast experience dealing with water leaks, and we know that this issue requires plumbing services. Repairing a water leak could be a big job. Replacing pipes inside walls or ceilings involves knocking down and mounting walls, something that not everyone can do. If you have a water leak or any other plumbing problem, you can contact us, and we are here to help you.