Leaking pipes and mystery plumbing issues drive homeowners crazy. A drip-drip here and a drip-drip there is annoying, but a water puddle under the kitchen sink? Loud pipes behind a wall? These may make you want to pull out your own hair. The main problems associated with leaky pipes include a reduction in water pressure, uneven water temperatures and higher water bills, as well as significant damage to your property. If a plumbing problem arises, the best course of action to take is to call a professional for repairs as soon as possible.
What are the signs of a leak? What are the most common types of damage caused by leaky plumbing pipes? Let’s find out! Here’s what experienced plumbers in Grand Rapids, MN want you to know.
Telltale signs of leaks
Plumbing leaks, whether big or small, can be problematic. Leaving a pipe to leak for too long can make matters worse, meaning a minor drip can manifest into something major. That’s more money out of pocket for repair costs. Some obvious signs of leaks (or impending leaks) include low water pressure, rising water bills, excess moisture indoors and noisy pipes. If you discover a leak anywhere in your plumbing, fix it quickly or call a plumber.
Types of damage
Don’t let leaks get out of hand! Leaking pipes can cause a host of issues that not only affect the pipes, but the rest of your property, too. Below are the most common types of damage caused by leaks:
- Wood damage: Leaking pipes can lead to water damage to the wood features of your house. Since many homes have plumbing pipes running beneath floorboards, a leak can quickly warp the wood. Bumps and lumps on your wood floors or in your carpet are indications of a possible leak. Left unfixed, this type of damage will continue and soon be responsible for wood rot, which is an expensive repair on its own. You’ll need to hire a plumber and a water damage restoration company to deal with the damage.
- Peeling paint: Another type of damage due to leaky pipes is paint or wallpaper peeling. This is, in fact, a hallmark sign of water damage. If water seeps behind a wall, it will cause cosmetic damage. Water and moisture can remove paint from walls, and may even trigger a reaction in wallpaper that’ll cause it to warp and peel away. Other types of surface damage include delaminating plywood and other materials.
- Mold and mildew growth: Any size leak can create standing water, which will likely lead to mold and mildew growth. What’s worse is that both of these organic growths will eat through building materials like drywall, and weaken other materials. Such structural damage can lead to problems like ceiling collapse, and mold is also a serious health hazard.
Want a plumbing team you can trust when your home’s plumbing is on the fritz? Rapids Plumbing & Heating Inc. sends out the most skilled plumbers in Grand Rapids, MN to residents in need of assistance. Don’t wait to give us a call!