How Much Damage Can a Small Leak Cause in Your Home?

11/25/2020 (Permalink)

Water leaks are a pretty common occurrence, stemming from pipes or appliances that are either old, broken, or improperly installed. Typically small water leaks are manageable upon first notice and not really cause for concern. Yet, on occasion, leaks do go unnoticed and can cause some heavy water damage to the area around it.

Know the Signs

Indicators that a leak is present aside from pooling or consistently wet surfaces can be:

• Damp, humid air – this is especially common when plumbing is under a cabinet or enclosed area.
• Water Stains- look for discoloration that grows or worsens over time.
• Mold or Mildew – seeing signs of fungi growth near water sources should be concerning.
• Foul Odors
• Increased Water Bill
• Strange Plumbing Noises

Understand the Potential Damage

Ignoring signs of a leak or failure to properly fix the leak can cause more costly damage than just a high water bill.

• Damaged Flooring – water damage to different types of flooring may cause weak warped or stained floors. 
• Mold Damage – mold needs only as little as 24 hours, moisture, and a food source to grow. Typically many of the materials found around your home by water sources, especially drywall, are perfect for mold to colonize.
• Stained or Saggy Ceilings – if the leak is on a second floor, the ceiling of the first floor is likely to be damaged over time.
• Damaged Walls – whether walls are saturated with water or affected by mold, either type of damage can compromise the structural integrity of drywall and other materials.

Leaks can be a mere nuisance, quickly fixed, if they are detected with time. However, if allowed to go on unnoticed, even slow, small leaks can cause major problems. We often see customers who have warped floors from water damage coming from a dishwasher or refrigerator that was not addressed. We have also seen many customers dealing with serious mold issues under their kitchen or bathroom sinks because they did not realize they had a leak. Knowing the signs and being proactive can be a huge aid in mitigating damage caused by a leak in your home.