3 Tell-Tale Signs of Plumbing Problems

Homeowners need to know how to recognize leaky plumbing, for even minor issues with water pipes can cause significant damage. If you own a home, here are three tell-tale signs of leaky pipes to watch out for. 1. Sounds of Running Water
Any water you hear run when no one is using a faucet or appliance is a sure sign that something is amiss, for water should not run when everything is turned off. If you hear water run, check all of your home's faucets and appliances that use water to make sure everything is indeed off. Often, the running water is simply the result of a faucet that's not completely in the off position or an appliance button that someone pressed by mistake without realizing it.If everything is definitely off, then there's water running somewhere it shouldn't be. Use your ears to try and identify where the sound is located and then, feel around that area to see if there's excess moisture.Once you identify what part of your home's plumbing is leaking, you should immediately shut off water to that part of the house. You don't want to shut off the flow of water until you identify the problem area, for sound is your clue to the problem. After you know where the problem is, though, you want the water shut off to prevent further leakage and possible damage.You'll need to close a shut-off valve to stop the flow of water. If a feature is leaking, you may be able to stop the flow to just that feature with a localized shut-off valve. For example, many sinks have an under-sink shut-off valve. If no shut-off valve is available, you can turn off your home's main shut-off, which will stop the flow of water to your entire house. 2. Stains on Ceiling or Wall If you notice unaccounted for stains on a ceiling or wall, water may be the culprit of the discoloration. Wherever there is a stain, there's likely also damage to the material that's discolored.A water stain doesn't necessarily mean you have a leaky pipe, but it does show that there is unwanted water somewhere behind the stained surface. A stain on your uppermost ceiling could come from a leak in your roof, and a stain beneath a window probably means that the window's seal is letting water in.When a stain is located on a lower-level ceiling or an interior wall, however, a pipe is the most likely culprit. Determine where the leak is and then, have a professional plumber repair the leaky pipe that's hidden. Don't bother painting over the stain before the pipe is fixed, for the stain will soon reappear unless the underlying issue is addressed. 3. Mold Under a Sink If you notice mold in a cabinet that sits beneath one of your home's sinks, there's excess moisture in that cabinet. Mold can't grow without moisture.In this situation, first look for signs of mold elsewhere in the same room. The problem might not be only in the sink cabinet, and mold in multiple areas of a room could indicate a major moisture problem that goes beyond a localized leak.When mold is contained to just a single kitchen cabinet, though, there's a problem within the cabinet. The most probable issue in a sink cabinet is a leaky pipe, as a constant leak of water in a confined space like a cabinet will create excess moisture.When there's mold under a sink, you shouldn't try to deal with the issue yourself because mold spores can be harmful to your health. Instead, have a plumber fix the pipe and a mold specialist clean out any mold that is present.If you have a leaky pipe, contact the plumbing repair specialists at Preferred Mechanical Services.