While you’re prepping gifts for the holiday season, it’s a good idea to give your home the gift of leak detection. Winter weather, with its chilly rains and cold temperatures, puts extra stress on your plumbing. By addressing leaks early, you can ensure that your home is ready for holiday festivities with friends and family members.
The Basement and Utility Room
Start out your leak detective work by inspecting the basement, crawlspace, and utility room. These are the best places to start because those areas house many of your pipes and appliances. Grab a flashlight and carefully look around your water heater, washing machine, and any exposed pipes.
You should look for puddles or damp concrete on the floor. This shows that water has been leaking. You might also notice that the pipes themselves have corrosion or green or white buildup near a joint, which signals a slow leak that has been dripping for a while.
Visible Signs of a Water Leak
Sometimes, your house will give you clear signals that a leak is happening. Keep an eye on your ceilings, walls, and floors. Look for discolored patches or rings on your ceilings, especially under bathrooms or kitchens, and notice if the wallpaper or paint is starting to bubble or peel off. These are all signs that water is coming from a leaking pipe inside the wall or floor.
Even your floor can give clues. For example, if you have laminate or wood flooring that is warping or buckling, it might be absorbing water from a hidden leak underneath via a compromised pipe.
Do Not Forget the Faucets and Toilets
Little leaks in high-use areas can waste a lot of water and money over time. Check your faucets and toilets. Listen for the sound of running water in your bathroom when everything is supposed to be off. That could mean your toilet flapper is not sealing correctly, causing a “silent leak” into the bowl. Also, check every faucet to make sure there are no drips when the handle is completely turned off.
Let the Pros Find Your Water Leak
While you can notice leaks on your own in many cases, some go undetected. To catch these, you must schedule time with a professional. They have special equipment that can detect leaks that do not have any outward signs. Once found, these leaks can be repaired before they cause serious damage. Call Waccamaw Cooling to schedule leak detection to make certain that your Myrtle Beach, SC home is safe and comfortable this season.
