How Can I Tell if My Pipes Are Leaking?

There are several indicators that may help you identify if one or more of your pipes are leaking. At times it’s hard to identify if your pipes are leaking because they are not usually in sight meaning they could be underground or within walls. Whatever your situation may be here are 5 ways to help you determine whether or not your pipes are in fact leaking.

1. Higher than normal water bills

This is one of the best ways to figure out if you have a leaking pipe. On the other hand this method may not be of best choice, and that is because during different months of the year your water usage will be higher than normal regardless if there is a leak.  Although measuring your water bill is a great indicator this should not be your only indicator.  Here’s how you can determine if your pipes are leaking by checking your water meter. First you’ll want to leave all sources of water inside your home and outside untouched such as toilets, hoses, showers or sinks. Then go outside to check your water meter and document the number it reads,  come back in 2 hours and verify that the same numbers given 2 hours ago are the same numbers it reads. If the numbers differ this may be a clear indication that your pipes are leaking. However, if  within the 2 hours there is no difference in the meter but you are still seeing a higher than normal water bill  look at the following ways to determine if your pipes are leaking. 

1. Mold on surfaces

Common places you’ll find mold in your household are usually places that work around water with high humidity such as the laundry room or the bathroom. To a certain extent mold may be visible in these locations but, not all homes have visible mold. Mold can be eliminated when there is good ventilation and surfaces are wiped dry. Normally if you see mold around pipes or near pipes where water does not touch this may be something you’ll want to take a closer look at. You will want to take a look at walls, ceilings, floors, baseboards, soft wet dents and watermarks. Mold may be your best indicator to stop ceilings from collapsing before it’s too late. 

1. Musty Odor

Mold is not always visible to the naked eye because it may be hiding behind walls. When mold is not visible you can use your sense of smell to determine if there is an unwanted odor present, mold. It’s hard to determine mold as an odor when it goes unnoticed. A simple way to figure out if you have mold in a room is to open up all windows and doors for an hour. After an hour visit every room making sure they all smell the same, if there is a distinct smell in a particular room have someone else determine if in fact it is mold. The smell of mold is musty and has a smell of stagnant dirty water, it shouldn’t be hard to miss.

1. Random puddles of water

When random puddles of water show up outside your home on a day that hasn’t rained, this is a sign of a possible leaking pipe. These puddles will show up from time to time with no real reason such as a nearby water hose. If left unattended the water may increase in just a couple of days we’re one day it was a small puddle and the next day a large hole in the dirt. In this situation it’s best to call a plumber to check underneath the ground as this level of work requires special tools to dig underground to  find the source of water. Random puddles of water could then lead to a damaged foundation and possibly overtime sink your home.

1. Sudden Cracks in the foundation

Cracks in your foundation are prone to happen over time especially if the foundation is still settling. Over time you may notice thin cracks in walls or ceilings which are normal. What is not normal is a large wide crack without an explanation this may be caused from a pipe weakening your foundation. An undermined foundation will be costly and will devalue the value of your home if left alone for too long. The price to repair a damaged foundation is more costly than to repair the pipe that will affect it. Be sure to get free estimates from your local plumbers so you can get an average of how much pipe replacements cost before hiring.

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