Most homeowners encounter leaks at some point in their lives. Leaky pipes or faucets are not uncommon. Even so, there is so much that homeowners do not know about leaks. If you are a homeowner, here are some key facts that you must know about leaks.

Water Leaks Can Cause Mold

Melbourne, FL is known as a place of sunshine where many vacationers go to get away from frigid winter temperatures. But it is also known for stifling humidity. High humidity can cause a significant amount of discomfort. It can also cause mold to develop inside of commercial buildings and homes. This will be made worse by any water leaks. When water has been leaking for an extensive period of time, the continuous moisture can cause harmful mold buildup.

Leaks Are Not Always Noticeable

You may think that leaks are always noticeable. You might reason that you can hear or see them. However, you cannot always hear or see leaks. Silent leaks occur when pipes are leaking down into your foundation, underneath the floor, behind walls or above ceilings. These are the leaks that can cause considerable damage to your property. It is best to have a plumber come and inspect your home to make sure silent leaks are not present.

Leaks Cause Water Waste

While leaks seem small, they contribute to a significant amount of water waste. A faucet that drips water once per second adds up to approximately 3,000 gallons of water annually. To paint a clear picture, this is the amount of water that is used for 180 showers. As many as 10% of homes in the U.S. contain leaks of some form. All these homes together waste 1 trillion gallons of water each year.

Most Leaks Are Easy to Repair

Faulty valves, leaky faucets and worn-out toilet flappers are the most common reasons for leaks in households. Plumbers consider these issues to be minor, and they can repair them quickly. In fact, these common leaks can be repaired in approximately 30 minutes or less.

Some Leaks Can Threaten the Structural Integrity of Your Home

While leaks that occur inside of your home’s walls, above your home’s ceilings or under your floors are damaging, slab leaks can be devastating. These occur in your home’s foundation. Slab leaks can cause cracks to develop and could eventually shift your entire foundation.

If you have a leak that you are not able to find or fix, locate your main water valve and shut off your water. Then, clean up any water so no mold develops. Finally, call a plumber to fix the problem. If you are in Melbourne, FL, contact Leak1 as we are your friendly experts in leak detection and repair. We will spot and repair leaks quickly so you can enjoy peace of mind and great savings on utilities.