How Do I Find a Plumbing Leak?

A Woman Holding Napkin Under Pipe Leak.

Leaks May Not Be Obvious, But Finding Them Can Be Easy

Leaks in your plumbing can range from being a minor inconvenience to being a hugely troublesome burden. Sometimes, you might not even be aware of a plumbing leak until after it has persisted and caused a lot of damage to areas around the leak. While there are definitely instances where calling in the professionals should be the very first move, there are scenarios where it is okay to fix a plumbing leak yourself. If you have the skills and experience, you can save yourself a lot of money and potentially save from damages that might be incurred waiting for a plumber to come out.

How Do I Find a Plumbing Leak?

There are simple leaks called splash leaks that is when water escapes past a shower door or curtain. It is the most common type of bathroom leak and it may sound minor, but it can cause major damage if the water manages to seep into the subfloor where the floor meets the shower or tub. It can even lead to the loosening and degradation of tiles and flooring. There are also leaks that are caused by drains or toilet flanges. There are a variety of things that you should be on the lookout for when noticing a leak, particularly in your bathroom:

  • Loose or damaged tiles or flooring
  • Water coming from the base of the toilet
  • Stains on ceilings underneath the bathroom
  • Persistent mold, peeling paint near your tub or shower
  • Dampness or puddles inside of your cabinets that are under faucets
  • A loose faucet base
  • Caulk that is beginning to break down around fixtures

These are just a handful of the things to look out for. It is important to keep in mind that there are a litany of different locations where a plumbing leak can occur. That makes it harder to pinpoint a plumbing leak without actually taking the time to look into it. The key is to look for water buildup or stains in your bathroom to know that something is amiss.

Does a Leak Always Cause Mold?

While it is impossible to say that mold occurs in every case of a water leak, it is safe to assume that mold will pop up. And the thing about mold is that it can pop up relatively; in the span of 24 to 48 hours. Mold is a fungus that spreads by releasing its spores so that it can produce. It is important to be aware of the spread of mold because mold can cause damage to your respiratory system and cause breathing problems if left unchecked over a long period. Generally speaking, water leaks will cause mold in the areas that they persist. Mold can grow just about anywhere, too. Anywhere that there are stains or damp areas, mold can sprout.

This can be in cabinets, along baseboards, in the caulking of showers and bathtubs, and so much more. It is important to know when mold is growing in your home because of those potential respiratory problems, it is essential that you not let the mold persist over an extended period. Try to clean up any spills or leaks as quickly as you can in order to avoid having to bring out a professional mold removal service. Mold can not only be damaging to your person but your wallet as well. Take the necessary steps to prevent mold growth or to identify it quickly. If you have a full-blown outbreak of it, mold can be especially difficult to take care of highly dangerous as well.

What Do You Do If You Suspect a Plumbing Leak?

A Plumber Fixing a Pipe Leak with a Red Wrench.

Contact a Plumber for Repairs!

If you know that you have a plumbing leak, it is likely the best move to call in a professional service. Sure, there are definitely smaller leaks that can be patched and repaired by an amateur plumber, but you should not ever have to question the level of quality that you are getting when you use a professional service. If you have the skills to implement a patch, it might be the best move to apply a temporary patch to quell the flow of water until the professionals can arrive on the scene. Anything that can prevent any further damage or mold growth is important to the process and something that you should take note of. When you call BDS Plumbing Solutions Inc for repairs for a plumbing leak in Marietta, GA, you can rest easily knowing that you are getting the correct repairs done and stopping those leaks from becoming a far bigger issue. When those leaks are left unattended, they can cause serious damage to things like flooring, ceilings below, appliances, fixtures, and a million other things. Calling us at (770) 672-0095 for professional repair service to get those leaks taken care of is the best and smartest step that you can take in matters of a leak.