Leaks and What They Bring

Don’t Let a Little Leak Become a Big Problem

Leaks are easy to ignore. Unless what you’re seeing is a dripping faucet, which annoys most anyone, leaks aren’t something that will easily jump to the front of most people’s minds. This is understandable – most leaks are something that happen behind the scene, and make their presence known with noises and pipe issues. Leaks aren’t just annoying, though. They can cause serious issues in your home and business, issues that go beyond just the plumbing, and possibly affect the health of your loved ones and clients.

Water Damage

The first, and most obvious, thing that can happen when you’ve got a leak is water damage. The first sign of water damage that you will see is usually bubbles in the paint on the wall where the leak is taking place, or bubbles in the paper, if you have wall paper. If you see this, this means that water has seeped through the walls to a place that you’re actually able to see the damage. The dangerous damage, however, may not be visible to you. Leaks typically happen behind walls, where there is usually a mixture of wood and other dry materials. When this happens, this means that the internal structure of your home has been affected by this leak or leaks, and you’ve got a serious problem.

Mold and Mildew

Whether it is behind the walls, or growing under the baseboards, mold is a hazard that should not be ignored. Some molds smell, and can irritate people who live with allergies. If this is you, or anyone in your family, it is even more important to take care of leaks as soon as you discover them. When water comes in contact with wood, other building materials, or carpet, mold already has everything that it needs to grow strong, and release spores, which fly through the air, attach to a moist surface, and grow into more mold. Preventing mold, and its cousin, mildew, take care of leaks as soon as you can.

Pests

Leaks can easily form puddles in carpet, on hardwood, and behind walls. Puddles can attract rats, mice, mosquitoes, and other vermin. Because of the easy water source, pests will not only be attracted to the standing water created by a leak, but may also reproduce in that very spot, making yet another hazard to the health of your household.

Reduced Home Value

Leaks, with their risk of mold and infestations, may reduce the value of your home. If your home has needed fumigation as a result of the pests that were attracted to the leaking water, you could be looking at a ten to fifteen percent decrease in the value of your home. You will be required to disclose the history of infestations in the home if it is sold, and caring for leaks is the best way to keep the process simple for you, and for others.

Prevention and Repair

While there is no guaranteed way to prevent leaks, having regular plumbing inspections, and calling your local plumber the moment you suspect there may be a leak is the best way to take care of a small problem before it becomes a dangerous one.