Is there an unexplained uptick in your water bill? You put every faucet in the house to rest and yet can still make out the sound of running water? And what of those damp areas on the floor or wall that seem impervious to drying?
Such are the telltale signs of a plumbing leak you cannot see. Heed them and you will be spared some serious damage later on. We at Integrity Home Solutions make it our business to put homeowners in the Tampa Bay area ahead of any leaks that would otherwise become expensive to fix. A call to (813) 686-9908 is all it takes, day or night, should you have any misgivings.
For the most part a pipe does not give way with a dramatic deluge; the indications are more subdued and one can be forgiven for overlooking them until the harm is done. It is best to know what to look for.
The Water Bill That Won’t Add Up
When your bill makes a jump and you have made no alteration in your water usage, take note. It is a plain indication that water is getting away from you somewhere. A household’s routine may be as it ever was but the numbers on the bill go up. In the course of a month a mere drip can run through thousands of gallons.
Sounds and Smells That Signal Trouble
You do not need to see the water for your senses to inform you of trouble. Be on the lookout for:
- Running or dripping sounds in the absence of any fixture being used
- An earthy, mustiness in a room where you would expect a fresh air
- Rotten egg or sewer type odors about the drains or under a sink
- Gurgles from the toilet or drain
- Some hissing from behind an appliance or in the wall
Homeowners have a tendency to put such things down to background noise. But a smell or sound that lingers is the home putting in a request for your attention.
Visible Clues on Walls, Floors, and Ceilings
Water has a way of making its presence known well away from the source of the leak. Look for these:
- Staining of a yellow, brown or copper hue on walls and ceilings
- Cracks, peeling or bubbling in the paint and wallpaper
- Flooring of wood or laminate that has buckled or warped
- Spongy feeling underfoot in the vicinity of a tub, sink or toilet
- Any dark mold or mildew in the corners and by the baseboards
In Florida the humidity is enough of an adversary on its own; introduce a slow leak and you will have mold on your hands in no time. Get on top of it and you can prevent it from spreading.
Changes in Water Pressure
A faucet that was once strong now trickles, or the shower has lost its force, and you can put the blame on a leak. The water is going to waste in a corroded or cracked pipe instead of to your fixtures. A loss of pressure at one fixture is a localized affair, whereas low pressure throughout the house suggests something more amiss with the main line.
Warm Spots and Wet Yards
Do not think a leak is confined to the interior. An odd warmth in a section of the floor could be a hot water line under the slab. Out of doors you might find a patch of lawn unduly verdant while the rest has gone to brown, or a soggy spot in the yard for which there is no rain to account for. Either way the underground line has given out.
Why Fast Action Matters
There is little chance of a leak mending itself and delay will only see the repair bill grow. Prolonged exposure to standing water will weaken a structure and compromise electrical systems as well as foster mold. The quicker it is put right the better for your pocketbook.
Why Homeowners Call Integrity Home Solutions
Being a company founded by veterans we have a vested interest in seeing to your home with the same care we would our own, and we serve our neighbors in Tampa Bay accordingly. Our team is distinguished by the following:
- Licensing and insurance covering plumbing and three other trades
- Background-checked, certified and trained technicians
- Flat-rate pricing that is transparent and free of hidden fees
- 24 hour emergency service
- We stock our trucks with 93 per cent of the parts you are likely to need
- Same-day service and guaranteed appointment times
From Tampa and St. Petersburg to Clearwater, Brandon, Riverview and Wesley Chapel, we are here for the region.
If you have seen fit to put in a call to Integrity Home Solutions at (813) 686-9908 over any of the above warning signs, our professional leak detection team will get to the bottom of it and make things right before they escalate.