If it isn’t caught and corrected, a leaky pipe can wreak havoc on your Palm Desert, CA home. Leaky pipes cause problems like rising humidity, foul odors, and mold and mildew infestations. They can attract pests, damage building materials, and send your water bill soaring. Unfortunately, not every pipe leak will leave standing water on your floors or other conspicuous evidence of plumbing trouble. To help you spot pipe leaks and schedule timely repairs, the following are the top six signs to look for.
1. Low Water Pressure
If you turn your tap on full-blast and get a small, unsteady trickle, there’s likely a leak somewhere along your water supply line. Low water pressure means that incoming water isn’t making it to your plumbing fixtures. You might have a water supply line leak near the tap that you’re using. However, if all your taps have pressure problems, the primary supply line outside of your home could be leaking.
Leaky water supply lines let fresh water out, but they also allow outside contaminants in. This is a common source of water contamination. A leaky water supply line outside your home can introduce lawn chemicals, bacteria, and soil-based contaminants into your drinking water. Look for:
- Cloudy water that doesn’t settle or clear
- Discolored tap water
- Foul smells
- Unpleasant tasting water
All water supply line leaks require immediate attention. However, if a leaky water supply line has affected the taste, odor, or appearance of your tap water, avoid using it for bathing, cooking, or direct consumption until a plumber diagnoses and resolves the problem.
2. Trickling Sounds Behind Your Walls
If you have a leaky water supply pipe inside your home, you might hear running water behind your drywall. This is often accompanied by a pervasive “wet” smell as drywall and wood framing are saturated. You can mitigate building damage by turning your water off at the main shut-off valve.
3. Sewer Gas Odors
Your home has three primary types of plumbing pipes: water supply lines, wastewater pipes, and your main sewer line. When sewer lines leak, they emit a foul, rotten egg or rotten cabbage odor. Smelling rank sewer gases in your yard could mean that your sewer pipe has been encroached upon by tree roots or weeds or has sustained other age- or wear-related damage.
Cracked sewer pipes spill nutrient-dense effluence into the surrounding soils. As a result, your lawn might look especially verdant, or you may have soft, sodden spots in your yard or standing pools of wastewater.
4. Higher-Than-Normal Water Bills
Even minor water supply line leaks can waste gallons of water each day. Whether this water is pooling in your yard or hiding behind your drywall, it’s guaranteed to make itself known by way of your water bill. If your water bill is suddenly much higher than it’s ever been before and you haven’t added new household residents or new plumbing-connected appliances, you need leak detection service.
5. Moist, Heavy Indoor Air
Plumbing leaks add a significant amount of moisture to the indoor air. As pooling water evaporates, your indoor air will feel increasingly moist and heavy. Although air conditioners, heat pumps, and condensing furnaces offer limited humidity regulation, they cannot extract excess moisture as fast as it’s added when pipes are leaking. This extra moisture can lead to rank, moldering odors, visible mold and mildew, and a noticeable decrease in your indoor air quality. If left unchecked, pipe leaks and the resulting humidity can also lead to warped building materials, blistered and peeling paint, and damaged furnishings.
6. A Wet Slab
All your drains and wastewater pipes converge onto your sewer pipe. This line travels underground from your home to the municipal sewer main. However, a small portion of your sewer pipe travels under your home’s slab. If it leaks, your slab will stay wet. If it ever has the chance to dry out, it may develop a thick, white, powdery coating. A slab leak can cause problems from your foundation all the way to your roof. With time, you might notice foundation cracks, large settlement cracks in your drywall, and issues like lost shingles or torn roof flashing.
As a family-owned business, Righty Roo Plumbing & Air proudly serves Palm Desert and the surrounding cities. We offer expert hydro-jetting, gas line, sewer line, and drain cleaning services. We also provide water heaters, water filtration, and general plumbing repairs. To schedule leak detection service, get in touch with Righty Roo Plumbing & Air today!
