Water Leaks: 6 Ways They Can Ruin Your Home

H2O is essential to life, but it can also be destructive if you have water leaks in your home. You might not know there’s a problem until water starts seeping onto the floor or through the walls or visible mold starts growing. A leaky pipe, dishwasher, toilet, or showerhead could cause thousands of dollars worth of damage. Here are 6 ways that a water leak can ruin your home.

List of Contents

How a Water Leak Can Ruin Your Home

Water leaks can cause mold

A leak in your home can cause mold growth. Mold is a type of fungus found in the air and on surfaces like walls, tiles, or furniture. Depending on where it’s located, mold can be harmful to your health and could also cause a significant financial loss. Mold can cause asthma attacks, respiratory infections, and other illnesses. It is also hard to clean because it’s hard to get rid of once it sets in. Mold can spread quickly if it gets into the air and there is a water source nearby. For example, if your faucet drips or your pipes leak water, the wetness will attract mold spores which will spread throughout your home.

Water leaks can destroy your home’s foundation

Every home has a foundation, and the foundation must be strong. If something interrupts the structural integrity of your home’s foundation, it can lead to structural damage. If your home’s foundation is compromised, you could end up with expensive repairs to save your home from falling apart and sinking. Leaks can cause damage to the foundation if left untreated. From small leaks that happen during construction and plumbing to more significant leaks due to faulty equipment or pipes, water can cause severe problems for your foundation.

Water leaks can ruin your carpets and flooring, and your possessions

Carpets and flooring are among the most expensive things to repair or replace inside your home. Carpet and flooring are more likely to show the effects of water damage than any other room. If you spot some mold, wet spots, or discoloration on your carpet or flooring, it’s time to call a professional.

A leaky pipe or toilet can also cause a wet and moldy mess and ruin your personal belongings like furniture and electronics.

Water leaks may affect the electrical system in your home

Water leaks can cause dangerous electrical issues in your home. Water is a conductor of electricity, and a leak’s moisture can short-circuit circuits. For example, if you have a dishwasher and it leaks, you may experience a short-circuit in your electrical system. This short-circuit will lead to power outages in your home. It can also damage your appliances with corrosion or rusting. If your dishwasher has an electric motor, then the leak could stop it from working correctly and it will burn out faster than expected. It could also affect the safety of your appliances, causing them to burst into flames or overheat. The issue could be so severe that an appliance catches on fire or explodes when you’re using it.

Water leaks can damage walls

Drywall will get swollen with moisture and start to split when the walls are exposed to water for an extended period. This can lead to dangerous structural issues that could cost thousands of dollars in damages. It’s best to avoid this situation altogether by having a professional check out your home for any potential leaks before they occur.

Water leaks can cause wood rotting

Water leaking can cause rot and decay in the wood that your home is made out of. Even if you don’t see any signs of wetness, the rotting process still has started.

Signs include:

-Pitting on the exterior side walls

-Sagging ceilings and floors

-Creaking noises in certain parts of your home

-Rust around windows and doors

If you have a noticeable leak, do this now

Here are two simple ways you can take care of minor leaks now while a professional is on their way:

If a pipe in your bathroom or kitchen is leaking, install a drip pan under your sink so you don’t have to worry about leaking onto other surfaces.
If a water leak has occurred because a pipe has burst, shut off your water now so you don’t have to worry about flooding your home.

Ways to prevent leaks

Here are some ways you can prevent most leaks.

First, make sure your pipes aren’t old. Old pipes have small gaps that allow water to seep into your basement or crawl space. With new pipes, these gaps are eliminated so you can prevent leaks.

Second, use a rubber stopper at the bottom of your toilet tank to avoid cracks and uneven surfaces in the tank.

Third, install an aerator in the toilet’s fill valve to reduce air bubbles and prevent clogs from happening.

Fourth, use a water meter with leak detection features to ensure that you catch any leaking water before it gets too big an issue for your home.

Fifth, check your faucets for leaks and make sure they aren’t dripping after only five minutes of being turned on.

Sixth, seal off any holes in walls or ceilings as soon as possible if you notice any evidence of leakage.

The Importance of Checking for Leaks

Often, homeowners are too busy to check for leaks on their own, or they might not be sure how, which can be costly and inconvenient. So why not call in the professionals at Palo Alto Plumbing? We will be able to detect any leaks that may go undetected by homeowners or are easily missed to the untrained eye.

Professional companies like Palo Alto Plumbing will also have the expertise and equipment necessary to execute leak fixes effectively and efficiently without wasting time or money. We can identify the source of any leaks quickly and make repairs quickly to eliminate future issues.

Call Today

Water leaks are a common cause of damage to your home, and it is essential to know how to identify where a leak might be occurring. If you suspect you have a water leak in your home but don’t know where to start, give us a call at Palo Alto Plumbing Heating & Air by dialing 650-405-1460 today for all of your heating, air conditioning, and plumbing needs! You can also contact us here.