A water leakage in your house might be difficult to detect and repair. The problem here is that water is extremely fluid, capable of travelling long distances throughout your home to a point of accumulation. As a result, while you may notice a leak, it may not be the point of entry into your home or even the source of the water. In fact, certain leakages do not even present any outward clue to residents.
Water Leakage Can Happen At Any Time
Water leaks can occur anywhere throughout your home, whether they are visible or not. Any sink, drain, shower, or toilet falls within this category. Furthermore, water from outside sources may reach your roof, walls, or ceiling. Any droplet that exits a pipe or authorized water path before reaching its destination is a source of concern.
How can homeowners first determine whether or not their home has a water leak, and then locate the place of entry? This article discusses the symptoms of typical leaks as well as the regions where water seepage is likely.
Examine Your Utility Bill And Water Meter
Looking for variations in your monthly water utility bill is a fairly basic test for any pipe leaks that requires no experience. If you discover that your costs have increased despite no change in your usage behavior for the month, it may be time to investigate.
An equally basic test can be used to conduct the investigation. Turn off the main water valve in your house for a moment and check your water meter. If the reading has altered after an hour, a water leakage is most likely at work.
OTHER INDICATORS OF WATER LEAKAGE
The water meter is not a comprehensive way to check for leaks because leaks may not always come from pipes. Other ways for water leak detections are:
- Hearing the sound of running water or continual dripping during the night when there is no water running
- Your ceiling is dripping with water.
- Even if no spills has happened, your walls or flooring have moist spots.
- noxious odors in an area with no evident cause
- fading of your walls or floors
- Paint peeling off your walls
After determining that your home has a leak, the following step is to investigate and locate the source. We recommend a methodical strategy to checking the different typical sources of seepage to assist you.
Examine the Shower Area
The bathroom has three major areas where water leakage are likely. To begin, the waterproofing qualities of your shower walls and flooring are continually put to the test on a regular basis. Because this is a moist area that is constantly wet, your tiles and grout must be kept in good enough condition to resist water.
If there are visible color changes in your floors or walls, with dirt mixed throughout, this indicates that water has successfully permeated past their surface. Examine the area where the walls and floors connect, as this is frequently the most vulnerable.
Examine Your Toilet
To inspect your toilet, unscrew the tank’s top and listen for a hissing sound. If you do hear this noise, it is a sign of a leak. If you can’t hear the sound or want to test it further, add some food coloring to the tank. Examine your toilet bowl for any evidence of colored water.
Examine the Hot Water Tanks
Leaks in hot water tanks are common, but they can be difficult to notice if they are buried in your home. Check the valve first, as with taps, before looking for water indicators near the hot water tank. Water escaping from the tank may frequently create brown stains on your walls, and its release may be accompanied by a loud hissing sound.
Examine Your Roof and Balcony
Internally, look for evidence of dripping from your ceiling or peeling paint. Aside from the ceiling, you should attempt to inspect your walls for the same sign. Water can accumulate in unanticipated regions of your home because it can migrate through concealed passages. A visual assessment of your roof should also be performed. You can look for the following:
- Tiles with holes or chipping
- Debris accumulation, especially along water exit paths
- Puddle formation
Examine the Swimming Pool
If your property contains a swimming pool, expect leaks to occur sooner or later if routine maintenance is not performed. Due to their continual exposure to water, swimming pools necessitate powerful waterproofing systems. Turning off pumps and looking for differences in water levels after an hour or two is a good way to check for swimming pool leaking.
Examine All Faucets and Taps
A common source is leaking faucets. If you notice dripping from your faucet even when it is turned off, you have a malfunctioning faucet. Leaky faucets, however, are not the only source of tap leaks. Grab a flashlight and look beneath the sink to double-check. A water leak is likely if you notice wetness, water stains, mildew, or peeling material.
Examine Your Basement
Your basement is another location prone to water seepage. Basements are always in contact with the earth or soil, and as such, they are vulnerable to dampness. Moisture deteriorates your external waterproofing systems over time. This leaves your internal systems to protect your home from actual infiltration. Checks should be done for peeling paint, discoloration, and moldy odors.
The Risk of Water Leakage
Waterproofing is essential in every home to prevent seepages. Water, when allowed full rein, may be a destructive power. It collects in hidden spaces, creating a wet atmosphere conducive to mould growth. This degrades the structural integrity of the house over time, posing a major risk to all occupants.
Rather than allowing water to destroy your home, quick action should be performed. If you suspect a water leak, the first thing you should do is call a waterproofing company. The key to protecting your home’s underlying structure is early water leak detection.
Choose Alpha Builders For all of Your Waterproofing Needs
Alpha Builders, as one of the leading waterproofing contractor companies, uses high-quality products to assure long-term results. You can rely on us to assess, choose, and implement the best roof waterproofing procedures for your building’s needs.