When you find puddles that can’t be explained by a spilled drink or condensation that shouldn’t be present, you realize you have a leak somewhere. But knowing where that leak is can be problematic. When you check the obvious suspects and come up dry, consider these potential causes of leaks in your home.
When your home’s appliances were installed, the installer or contractor placed seals around all the water connectors. You can also find seals in other places, such as around your dishwasher door. Over time, these seals can dry out and break or wear out. Water connectors can loosen over time, as well. For example, the water connector on your washing machine may come loose from the shaking during the spin cycle.
Damage to your home’s roof is a very common cause of leaks. It can be sudden damage from a storm or it can be damage that happens slowly over time due to loose flashing or shingles. It can also be a leak caused by an improperly installed roof. If your roof is the source of a leak, or you think it might be, you should call a contractor for an inspection to see if a roof repair is needed. It’s not a bad idea to have your roof inspected regularly so you can catch trouble before it turns into a leak. The money you spend on the inspection will be much less than you might spend repairing extensive damage because the leak was undetected for so long.
High water pressure can feel really good on sore or tired muscles at the end of a long day. But water pressure that’s excessive or uneven puts a strain on your pipes. And that strain can ultimately cause the pipes to crack or loosen at the joints and end up leaking. A professional can check your water pressure and adjust it to the correct amount if it’s too high or too low.
When your home was built, the pipes for your plumbing were laid under and leading up to the house. But most of the time, there’s not a lot of thought given to the trees that are growing on the property. But those trees that might have been small and harmless at the time have grown over the years. And their roots, unseen and hidden beneath the ground, may be infiltrating your pipes. These leaks won’t necessarily be inside the house, at least not for a long time. But you may become aware of these leaks because of new wet patches in your yard, a sudden drop in water pressure, or a sinkhole. If there are trees growing very near your house, it’s worth having the pipes checked to make sure there are no roots growing toward or in them.
Leaks are a big deal. Left unrepaired and ignored, they can cause serious water damage that not only impacts the value of your home, but also the integrity of its structure. This can lead to expensive repairs, increased insurance costs, and difficulty selling your home in the future. Stay on top of leaks by getting them resolved as soon as you discover them. By being proactive, you’ll save money and stress while keeping your home beautiful and valuable.
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