Did you know that the average cost for fixing water damage in one’s home in Australia is A$30,361?
That’s some big bikkies, especially if the damage is caused by something as cheap to fix as a simple water leak in your walls.
What’s more, besides causing costly damage to your home, a leak can also push up your water bill, waste a precious resource, and create a health hazard.
The key to avoiding the costs and hazards that come from an unfixed leak is to find and fix the issue asap. If you think you have a leak but can’t find it, the best course of action is to call in a leak detection service.
But how do you know when it’s time to pick up the phone? Easy, simply run through this checklist of the 8 top signs that you have a leak in your home.
1. Your Water Bill Has Mysteriously Risen
One of the first signs that might indicate you should call in leak detection services is a mysteriously high water bill.
The average rate of water consumption in Australia is roughly 200 litres of water per day, per person. However, going by an average like this isn’t always helpful as your needs and usage might be below or above it.
Instead, it’s best to minor your water usage from month to month. If you notice a sudden increase, but you aren’t using more water than usual—then it’s likely that you have a leak somewhere.
If this happens, one of the first things you should do is check your toilets. A leaking toilet can be an invisible water waster, consuming over 60,000 litres of water over the course of a year.
A great way to check your toilets for leaks is to place one square of loo paper on the back of your toilet bowl. If the paper is in the bowl when you come back, this probably means the toilet is leaking.
If none of your toilets are the culprit for your escalating water bill, carry on checking for these other signs that it’s time to call in a leak detection plumbing service.
2. Mouldy Areas
If there is a pipe leaking water into your ceiling or walls, this water will eventually make the area very damp. As most of us know, with damp usually comes mould.
If you have any areas of persistent mould growth in your home, this can be an almost definite indication that there’s a leaky pipe somewhere nearby.
Mould can be a serious health hazard and should be dealt with as soon as possible. However, before you do this, you should first find the leak and get it repaired. Otherwise, the mould is just going to continue growing back, and you will be dislodging spores into the air of your home unnecessarily every time you clean it.
3. Water Stained Ceilings
Along with mould growth, water-stained ceilings is another strong indication that you have a leak somewhere overhead. Depending on the location, this could be caused by a leaking water pipe, or it could even be a roof leak.
If you are unsure of the cause, then this is the time to get professional plumbing leak detection done.
4. Warped Flooring
If the leak is not overhead but underfoot, then it might start causing your floors to buckle and warp. This is most likely to happen with wooden or laminate floors.
If it’s not excessive, and happening in an area that sees a lot of water as it is, such as a bathroom, then that might be the cause. But, any warping that’s pronounced and not in a damp area of the house should be taken as a sign of a possible leak.
5. Less Water Pressure
If you have a big leak, this can affect your home’s water pressure. Have you noticed a recent pressure drop? If this is happening in conjunction with any of the other signs that you need leak detection services, then it probably means that water’s escaping from your plumbing system.
If so, this usually indicates a large leak, such as a burst pipe somewhere.
6. Rattling Pipes
Rattling pipes aren’t always a sign of a leak. However, if your pipes are rattling, this does indicate that your plumbing system isn’t in great shape and that clamps and fasteners have probably perished. If this is the case, it’s not unlikely that one of the pipes has developed a leak as well.
7. Your Water Meter Never Stops Running
One of the easier ways to test for a leak is to turn off all water outlets and taps, and then check your meter. Is it running? If so, that’s a pretty sure sign there’s a leak in the system that needs to be found and fixed.
8. Damp Areas in Your Garden
Have you noticed boggy areas in your garden that weren’t there before? Slushy, soggy, areas in your yard can indicate that either:
- The mains pipe is leaking
- The pipe connecting your home to the mains is leaking
- Your sewage pipe is leaking
To get to the bottom of the matter fast, you should get someone in as soon as possible to diagnose the issue.
9. Cracks in Your Foundation
All foundations develop some cracks over time. However, swiftly appearing foundation cracks can be an indication of excess moisture and a possible leak.
If you’re spotting fast-developing cracks, you should check all inside rooms for other signs, such as mould, and check the soil around your house for areas of increased dampness.
If the dampness is on the outside, then a broken exterior water or sewage pipe might be the source.
Do You Need Leak Detection Services?
If you have found any of these signs in or around your home that indicate a water leak, you need to take action fast—before more water gets wasted and more damage gets done.
If you’re located Brisbane and need leak detection services, Koz Plumbing can help. We offer professional plumbing leak detection and can also diagnose and repair your leak in a minimum amount of time.
With over 70 years of experience collectively, we pride ourselves on being fast, honest, reliable, clean, and tidy.
Call us today and make your home a leak-free zone.
