A leaking pipe can cause havoc in your home, and if not properly dealt with it can cause serious damage to walls and ceilings. While your leak may start small, it can quickly lead to costly repairs if left unchecked.
In this article we will run through how to check whether your pipes are leaking, and to search for signs like mould, stains, unusual sounds, low water pressure and more. If you suspect a leak, or can clearly see a leak causing damage to your home don’t hesitate to get into contact with us at Gas Tech Heating Ltd.
We also have an emergency line for Hemel Hempstead residents for those plumbing problems that just can’t wait.
Common Signs of a Leaking Pipe
The common signs of a leaking pipe to watch out for are:
- Unexplained increase in water bills
- Visible water damage
- Mould or mildew growth
- Unusual sounds in the plumbing
- Low water pressure
Let us run you through them.
Unexplained Increase in Water Bills
One way to know if you have a water leak is an unexplained increase in water bills. Maybe you have noticed a spike in your monthly costs, and with no explanation for the extra water usage, this could be a sign of a leak. Keep an eye on your monthly water bill breakdown as you may be paying for water lost through a leak.
Visible Water Damage (Stains, Dark Spots, or Wet Patches)
A water pipe leak can present itself as dark spots on ceilings and walls, and they may even be wet to the touch. You might also find wet patches on your walls or ceilings with no visible mark or stain yet. Or, there may even be unexplained puddles around the outside of your home caused by a plumbing leak. A leaking pipe can be the root of all of this, and it can result in a lot of damage if not treated quickly. That’s why it is essential not to hesitate and to get in touch with a professional plumber.
Mould or Mildew Growth
Signs of water leaking can also present themselves as mould or mildew growth. A leaking water pipe adds extra moisture into the walls and ceilings of your home, providing the perfect conditions for mould growth. Apart from naturally moist areas such as in the bathroom, you shouldn’t see mould or mildew anywhere else and so this is a sign that you may have a leaking pipe.
Unusual Sounds in the Plumbing
If you have noticed unusual sounds in the plumbing around your home, like gurgling from drains or toilets and water running in your pipes even when taps are off, this could be the sign of a leak. Signs of air in your water pipes may also present themselves as hissing noises. In this instance, a plumbing leak is best looked at by a professional before any further damage is caused.
Low Water Pressure
You may have noticed that your shower is not as powerful, or water is only trickling out of your tap. A drop in water pressure can be a sign of a pipe leak, as water is draining out of your leak instead of through into your taps or shower head. If your leaking water main is causing pressure issues, it may be time to get in touch with a professional plumbing service.
DIY Tips for Identifying a Leak
In order to identify a leak, there are methods that you can take yourself before calling a professional. However, if you have already noticed visible damage to your home, and are concerned about your walls or ceilings call a plumber immediately. For Hemel Hempstead residents, Gas Tech Heating Ltd’s emergency line is available 24/7.
Inspect Visible Pipework for Leaks
Checks on visible pipework can be made for signs of leaks. The pipes under your sink, in a basement, or behind a bath panel are usual spots for pipework that you can easily check yourself. You may see a pipe dripping, water marks or wet patches on the pipe.
Monitor Your Water Meter
To find a water leak, a clear DIY test is monitoring your water meter when you have no water running. If your water meter is increasing, then you know that you have a leak. To avoid paying over the odds for your water usage, get in touch with Gas Tech Heating Ltd for plumbing repairs straight away.
Check for Water Stains and Warping
Water stains and minor warping are sometimes easy to miss, they may be light in colour or small but it’s important to check for them. The placement of them will give you an indication of which of your pipes is leaking, for instance a stained ceiling indicates a leak in a ceiling pipe. A leaking pipe in a wall may also present itself as peeling paint or wallpaper.
For extensive warping or ceiling dips that look to be filled with water, get in touch with a plumber straight away.
Listen for Hissing or Dripping Sounds
Listening for hissing or dripping noises can help you to identify a leak at the source or at least in a general vicinity. You may have heard these noises faintly, or actually noticed water dripping from an exposed pipe. However, these sounds will be at their loudest at the source so you can use your listening skills to pinpoint where your leak is.
A professional plumbing service will be needed to fix your leaking pipe, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with Gas Tech Heating Ltd.
What You Can Do: DIY Fixes for Minor Leaks
For minor leaks, there are a few things you can do before a plumber arrives to fix your leaking pipe.
Tighten Loose Connections
Loose joints or fittings in plumbing can allow water to escape, and for easy-to-reach exposed pipework such as those under a sink or behind a bath panel, joints can easily be tightened. You may be able to do this by hand, but if not, a spanner will come in handy to ensure no water can escape from your fixtures.
Use Temporary Sealants or Tape
For small leaks, plumber’s tape or epoxy putty can be a temporary fix. This is especially useful on exposed pipework while waiting to source a plumber for a more permanent solution. A leaky pipe can cause a lot of damage in your home, so try not to wait too long before calling a professional such as Gas Tech Heating Ltd.
Turn Off the Main Water Supply
One quick way to stop your pipe from leaking is to turn off your main water supply. This will prevent further damage from occurring, and is especially important if your ceilings or walls are experiencing warping or water is starting to drip through. You are then prepared for a plumber to arrive and fix your leaking pipe.
When to Call a Professional Plumber
An increase in water bills, a decrease in water pressure and mould are all signs that you might have a leak. Monitoring your water meter when no taps are on and checking for marks on ceilings and walls are quick ways to identify a leak.
However, many, if not all, of your water pipes will be hard to get to, and by the time you start to see a water stain or warping, the leak may have been occurring for a long time. To avoid serious and expensive damage to your home, make sure to call a plumber at the first sign of a water pipe leaking.
Gas Tech Heating Ltd offers an expert plumbing service in Hemel Hempstead, specialising in leak detection and repair. So, if you’ve noticed any of these signs or suspect a leak in your home, contact us today. We even have a 24-hour emergency line for plumbing issues that just can’t wait.
