Have you ever been watching a TV show or a movie that depicts a character discovering a leak when a rainstorm hits or when they’re getting their home ready for a gathering? That’s for dramatic effect, but the truth is—leaks are pretty undetectable up to that point. After all, your plumbing system is hidden behind drywall and beneath floors—so unless water is gushing into your property like it does in the movies, you’re probably not going to know about a leak until it does significant damage.
Of course this is not an ideal situation, and it’s not one we want you to face. While you do need a professional plumber to come out and accurately pinpoint where the leak is occurring and actually fix it, there are fortunately factors you can watch out for that indicate you might have one and it’s time to call a plumber. Read on to learn what they are:
An Increase in Your Water Bills
It makes sense that your water bills won’t be the same every month, year after year. But if you feel like you’re being relatively careful about your water usage, and that nothing about your water usage has changed that much, and yet the bills keep rising, something is amiss. No, it’s probably not an evil plot from your municipal water district. Instead it’s probably the sign that you have a leak.
A Drop in Water Pressure
A decline in water pressure is most often caused by one of two things—a blockage or a leak. It’s never a good sign though, that’s for sure. If it’s a slow drop over time, you’re probably looking at a clog of some kind, such as limescale buildup. This is still something we can fix, so give us a call!
Alternatively, you may have a leak that needs attention. If it’s bad enough to warrant a drop in water pressure, you absolutely should call us right away.
The Sound of Running Water
Walk around your home and listen for the sound of running water. If there are no appliances or fixtures running but you hear this noise anyway, it’s almost certainly a sign of a leak. Another way to detect this is by purposefully turning off your appliances and fixtures and then checking your water meter. If it’s still running, it means that water is leaving your system from somewhere, and this warrants a call to a professional plumber.
The Smell of Mold or Mildew
If there is a mold or mildew presence in your home, it’s a sign of excess moisture. Excess moisture can come from humidity, of course, but it could also be caused by leaking plumbing. If this is coupled with visible signs of water damage like water stains on the ceiling or drywall, then it’s time to give our professional plumbers a call.
Reach out to JD’s Prompt Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning to get in touch with a professional plumber in Lubbock, TX.