If you suspect that there is a leaky pipe in your home, watch out for these signs that indicate the need for repair. From dripping faucets and higher water bills to musty smells and puddles, these indicators can help you identify potential plumbing issues.
Signs of a Leaky Faucet:
- Dripping sounds or visible drips
- Rust or water puddles around faucets
- Unexplained increase in water bill
- Squeaking faucets or difficulty turning them off/on
- Moldy or rotten food smell
Signs of a Leaky Toilet:
- Faucet noises or groaning sounds
- Water on the bathroom floor
- Uneven floor or tile
- Moldy or sewer gas smells
Signs of a Leaking Water Heater:
- Puddles or unusual amounts of moisture around the water heater tank
- Uneven flooring and/or raised floor tiles in the vicinity of the water heater's base
- Noises such as dripping water or unusual sounds originating from the water heater
- Insufficient hot water or limited supply
Signs of a Leaking Washing Machine Hose:
- A moldy/musty smell in the laundry room
- Small pools of water around the washing machine
- Rusted or loose hose connections
- Cracked or bulging hoses
Natural Gas Line Leaks
It might not be a water issue, but the natural gas heating the water in your boiler can be hazardous. Carbon monoxide gas is the most common type, and it is both highly flammable and fatal if it is inhaled in large quantities. One common sign of a natural gas leak is smelling a rotten egg odor – this odor has been added to the gas because it is naturally odorless and impossible to detect. Place carbon monoxide monitors by the hot water heater and any other appliance that uses natural gas and check the batteries on your carbon monoxide monitors regularly. If you have a gas stove in your home, make sure that you check it before assuming you have a gas leak. If you notice that you’ve left the gas on, carefully turn the gas off and open all the windows in your home to let the gas flow out. Do not light a lighter, ignite your stove, or create any type of spark until the smell of gas has fully disappeared from your home.
