Uncover Hidden Water Leaks Protect Your Home

Is Your Home at Risk? The Shocking Truth About Hidden Water Leaks

Have you heard a pitter-patter from your bathrooms? Have you experienced a recent increase in your water bill? If so, you may have fallen victim to hidden leaks.

Hidden leaks are arguably the most dangerous leak known to homeowners.

Make sure to protect your home from hidden leaks with this all inclusive guide.

Hidden Leaks: Out of Sight ≠ Out of Mind

Hidden leaks are leaks that occur in the piping of your home that aren’t visible to you in your day-to-day life. While these leaks are hidden, they still pose a huge threat to not just your home, but the safety of the people living in your home as well. It’s important to know the risks of hidden leaks so if you get caught with a surprise leak, you know what to do!

Hidden leaks can cause the growth of mildew and mold if left untreated and produce toxins in the air. They can also cause damage to your walls, paint, wallpaper, floors, and almost anything else that's a part of your home. 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average home leaks around 10,000 gallons of water every year. Just imagine, how those 10,000 gallons are affecting your foundation, wall structures, and water bills! Water leaks are a very serious issue, that aren’t going away just because you don't see them.

What Are Hidden Leaks?

As stated above, hidden leaks are leaks that occur in the piping of your home that aren’t visible to you in your day-to-day life. These types of leaks differ from traditional leaks as they are not visible and can cause damage to your house without you even knowing they exist.

Here’s a list of common locations where hidden leaks occur:

Under the sink:

Sink pipes get clogged and worn out all the time, which might not seem like a big deal, till your kitchen is flooded in backed-up sink water. Make sure you keep your pipes secure and in place under your sink.

Inside the toilet tank:

Did you know water leakage could occur inside your toilet’s tank? Well, it can. There are many causes for this type of hidden leak but the main culprit is usually a broken or worn-out flapper.

Showerheads:

If you’ve heard a pitter-patter from your bathroom and don’t know what it is, it might be a showerhead leak. These are some of the most common leaks to occur and can cause damage to the walls around your shower, as well as the shower itself.

Faucets:

Faucets leak for an ungodly amount of reasons, but most of all, issues with the O ring. Make sure you have a professional install, or check out your faucets when making major changes.

Water heater tank:

When a water heater tank is left too long without being replaced or upheld, rust can form on the walls of the tank. When this rust breaks down, cracks can occur, causing water to slowly, or eventually not so slowly, leak out of the water heater tank.

Under the home’s foundation:

A hidden leak that occurs under your home’s foundation is possibly the scariest and most dangerous of all hidden leaks. Hidden leaks occurring under the home’s foundation can cause cracks in the slab your home is built on and can cause irreparable damage to your home.

How to Find Leaks:

While there are many ways to check for hidden leaks yourself, the best advice I can give is to contact a professional who specializes in water leak detection services. If you are going to check yourself, here are a few tips and tricks to do so:

Check Tank Parts

If you believe that you may have fallen victim to a hidden leak, it is best to start by checking the various tank parts around your house, including the toilet flapper valve we mentioned earlier.

Check Under Sinks

A super simple way to check for hidden leaks is to check under your sinks. If anywhere on your inspection appears damp or flooded, contact a professional for help.

Check Your Faucets and Showerheads

An easy way to do this is to turn off all faucets and place a shot glass under your faucet heads. After a few hours, go around and check to see if any water has accumulated inside the glasses.

Check your Water Heater Tank

Locate your water heater tank and examine around the tank. Check for water puddles, cracks, or rust on and around the tank.

If you have no luck finding the hidden leak with the above methods, make sure to reach out to a professional for help.

Tips To Prevent Hidden Leaks:

While there is no sure-fire way to prevent hidden leaks, here’s a list of things you can do to help prevent them.

Maintain proper water pressure:

Simply pick up a water pressure regulator from a hardware store to help stay on top of pipe maintenance

Do not pour grease down drains:

Pouring grease down drains can cause blockage and clocks, leading to… you guessed it… hidden leaks.

Schedule routine maintenance checks:

Having a professional look at your plumbing situation can help prevent hidden leaks before they even occur. Make sure you stay ahead of the leak!

Detection methods for finding a hidden leak include signs of mold/mildew, ceiling stains, or a musty smell in your house (almost like fresh dirt).

Protect Your Home!

Remember, just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Make sure to stay on top of your regular plumbing maintenance and protect your house from the dangers of hidden leaks.