You own a home and take pride and joy in the comfort it provides. Hidden, sneaky water leaks can compromise that comfort and joy by causing foul smells and unsightly stains. Water leaks can also eat away at your home’s structural integrity.

Damages from leaks can wreak expensive havoc on your home, so learn what to look for to catch and quickly fix damaging water leaks. If you see any of these tell-tale signs, you should consider calling a professional plumber before anything worsens.

1. Strange Hissing Noises or a Higher Water Bill

Pay attention to any hissing or rattling noises you hear in your home, especially when none of your water fixtures are running. This sound could indicate a pinhole leak, a faulty toilet, or something more serious. Faulty toilets can leak hundreds of gallons of water each month and cost you a ton of money over time.

Your water bill might be higher during the hot Melbourne, Fl summers because of activities like extra showers and more frequent garden watering. If your water bill goes up for no reason, you could have a leak somewhere.

2. Warping or Damaged Wood Flooring

Water can leak underneath your home’s flooring, and you might not notice it immediately, especially if this happens in rooms that do not get frequent use. If you have darkening or warping areas of hardwood floors, you most likely have a water leak.

Often, leaking toilets or pipes under the floor are the culprits. Areas of carpet may or may not feel wet, but if it smells mildewy, chances are that a water leak is present. If water leaks under the flooring in the kitchen, you might see cracked grout or caulking that is starting to peel. Over time, tiles may also begin to lift and break loose.

3. Mold, Mildew, or Sagging Drywall

Mold and mildew usually leave black, spotty marks on walls. You could find mildew damage in your garage, around your main water valve, or on the ceiling of your home’s bottom floor due to a leak in the bathroom above, for example. Pipe leaks behind drywall can also happen in several other areas of your home.

Leaking water from pipes in the ceiling or walls can drip down and cause sagging wallpaper, wrinkled or lumpy drywall, and even a saggy ceiling. You may also see yellowish stains or water rings. Ceiling leaks can be dangerous, cause extensive damage to your home, and carry the risk of a ceiling collapse.

4. Rusty Pipes or Low Water Pressure

If you live in an older home, it is easy to look past low water pressure or rusty pipes because, hey, the house is just old, right? Unfortunately, that rust, flaking, or discoloration on your pipes is the beginning of corrosion. Older homes usually have galvanized steel pipes, and rusty, corroded areas become leaking holes over time.

The water pressure might be lower in older pipes with built-up sediment. However, low water pressure can also be caused by leaking pipes and faulty valves. Less water makes it to a faucet or other fixture because it leaks out elsewhere. If your water pressure suddenly drops, there is a good chance that a water leak has developed.

Let Our Experts Put Your Mind and Wallet at Ease

It is surprising how much damage a small water leak can do over time. Before you even notice, walls develop mold and mildew spots, wood floors start to buckle, and drywall gets soggy and deteriorates. At Leak1, we can fix your leaks, replace corroded pieces of pipe, make other needed repairs, and minimize any damage to your home. Call our plumbing professionals today to schedule your leak inspection.