Finding a leak in your home is never a welcome surprise. Whether a leak is small or large, it is something you'll always want to have seen to immediately. Inaction can cost you a huge amount of time, money and stress. If you leave a leak to grow for too long the implications can be significant. If you suspect a house leak, you need to have an understanding of where it is coming from.
The financial and safety implications of not doing so can be huge. A house leak will rapidly drive down the value of a property. If your home has a history of leaks, this will be evident to surveyors who will reduce the valuation of your property. Sometimes you can lose thousands or even tens of thousands of pounds from the value of your property. As well as this financial impact, leaks cause the growth and spread of mould and mildew. If anyone in your home has a respiratory issue, this can worsen the condition. In severe cases of black mould, it can even be fatal.
To reduce the risk of any structural or financial damage because of a leak, it's important to know some of the types of leaks and how they impact the home. To give you a helping hand, we've created a brief guide detailing some of the different types of leaks. It's important to always work with professional leak detectors, but being armed with this information will help you to act as quickly as possible.
Different Types of House Leak
There are many locations where a house leak can manifest itself. Depending on whether the leak is due to ill-fitting or deteriorating pipework or a broken appliance, there may be different symptoms. Of course, a leak specialist will be able to identify a leaking pipe or leaking appliances and ensure they curtail the impact of a house leak. However, it's a good idea for you to also be able to identify the problem. Passing this information over to the leak specialist, you can speed up their work and ensure the issue is sorted as soon as possible. Also, if you are unfortunate enough to have another house leak in the future, you'll know what to keep an eye out for.
All of these types of leaks could be an indication of something more worrying in your system. So it's always worth contacting a team of professional leak detectors to give you peace of mind.
Leak Under Sink
A leaking pipe under the bathroom sink is one of the most common house leaks you're likely to find. If you've found a leak in this area, there are some steps you can take initially to protect your home. First and foremost, clear out the area under the sink to give you access. From there, you can identify where exactly the leak is coming from.
If you are experiencing a consistent spray of water, this may be caused by a pressurised water hose leak. Alternatively, if you turn the tap on and the leak occurs as the water drains away, this could be due to an issue in the drain line.
Firstly, turn off the water supply. You can then attempt to tighten all of the fittings around the valves and pipe connections. If this doesn't stop the leak when the water is turned on again, it may be more serious. If in doubt, and especially if the leak is severe, keep the water off and contact a leak specialist.
Water Leaking From Ceiling
Water leaking from the ceiling is another relatively common type of leak in the home, but a more serious one. It's almost certain that you won't be able to fix this issue yourself, but you can stabilise the situation. The first step is to remove any valuable and electrical appliances from the area to protect yourself and possessions.
Collect water underneath the area using a bucket and mop up any puddles which have formed on the floor. If the plaster is soaked down in a patch, you can prick it with a screwdriver to create a controlled area for the water to come out of. It's better than it spreading out and soaking the other areas of your ceiling and walls. You should also try and identify the source of the leak. If your bathroom is upstairs and you notice that your toilet is overflowing, cut off the supply of water and get on the phone to a leak specialist right away.
Leaking Appliances
Appliances like washing machines and dishwashers can often leak. Your appliance may not have been installed properly or is simply old. If you have noticed puddles of water surrounding your washing machine, it's important to act fast. Much like other leaks, it's vital to cut off the supply of water to the appliance. Either turn off the main water supply or, if you're certain it's one appliance, you can only cut off the water to that one area. This will stop the leak and you can then assess the issue. The issue may simply be your appliance needs replacing or services. However, it could be something more widespread. If that's the case, ensure you have a professional take a look.
Leaking Pipes In The Floor or Walls
Leaking pipes in the floor or walls are harder to detect. However, if you've noticed rising water bills, damp or wet spots on your floor or soaked areas in the basement, this may be the culprit. Keep an ear out for the sound of rushing water, too. Some of the more significant leaks can create a just-audible sound. In this case, it's worth getting leak detectors out immediately to confirm where the leak is coming from.
Leaking Toilets and Showers
Similarly to a leaking pipe under the bathroom sink, leaks around the fittings of toilets and showers are also common. If it seems as though you are dealing with a leak coming from your toilet, start by cleaning up the area so it's easier to discover where the leak is coming from. It might be coming from a leaking hose or the actual toilet bowl. From there, turn off the supply of water to your toilet and drain the remaining water by flushing it until it runs dry. Then you can clean up any remaining water.
The issue could be due to misaligned bolts which fix the toilet to the floor, loose hoses or a leaking cistern. To ensure the repair work is completed properly, it's always advisable to seek professional help from leak specialists.
Worried That You Have a House Leak? We Can Help You Detect The Leak Wherever It Is
Are you worried that you have a hidden leak in your home? If you have noticed the signs of a leaking pipe, contact Leak Tracers Direct. We are experts in the industry and have a team of professional leak detectors who can help you get your home back to its former condition. Whether you have a leaking central heating system, a ruptured pipe, or a leaking pipe under the bathroom sink, we can help.
We understand that dealing with a leaking pipe can be a very stressful experience. If left unattended, leaking pipes can cause significant damage to a home. That's why, if you're suspicious of a leak in your home, you should call us today. We will assess any damage as well as contact your insurers to make sure that the leak is dealt with to the highest possible standard.
To find out more about our services, please feel free to contact us today. You can find us at Unit 1, 1417/1419 London Road, London SW16 4AH. Alternatively, call us on 0203 011 0902.