Three Problems Water Leaks Can Cause For You

Nobody wants their pipes to develop a leak, but it can happen to anyone, at any time. If you know or suspect that you have a leak and are inclined to ignore it, even if only for a little while, you may want to reconsider your decision. Here are three good reasons why any water leak should be tackled by a plumber immediately.

Wood Rot

Even a tiny bit of leaking water can cause a significant problem for the wood in your home. This is particularly problematic if the leak develops inside one of your walls, via the pipes that go through that space.

Long-term exposure to a leak can easily cause wood rot. This causes wood to start degrading and softening, which can weaken the structure of your home or your walls. If it goes on for long enough, it can also lead to the development of mold, which can be extremely hazardous to your health. Needless to say, it's a dangerous situation to let water leaks just continue.

Increased Water Bill

You might not think that a minor leak coming from a pipe is anything to worry about, but it really is. There's no easy way to calculate how much water you're losing on a regular basis, but you could easily see an increased water bill if you don't get this problem fixed.

For comparison's sake, imagine that you have one leaking faucet in your home that only has one drop of water fall out every minute. Over the course of the year, you could waste 34 gallons of water. While it's possible that the water leak coming from your pipes is this minor, it's much more likely that a steady — if slow — stream of water is leaking out instead, which could crank up your water bill considerably.

Foundation Damage

Last but definitely not least comes the risk for foundation damage to your home. This is a potential problem when pipes in the walls or even those under the house start to leak.

As previously mentioned, water damages wood, which makes up the underlying structure of most homes. However, it can do a lot more than that. Chronic exposure to water can potentially weaken even concrete foundations, causing cracks to develop. This is a common problem when the leak opens up under your house.

Alternatively, if the leak is in a pipe that travels under your house, it can also cause damage to your entire home by weakening the earth under your home. As the ground softens, the house may shift and make cracking and popping noises. This can actually cause damage to your home if it goes on for long enough, so it shouldn't be ignored.

For further tips, reach out to a leak detection service near you.

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