subject: Signs Of Serious Plumbing Problem [print this page] Naturally, there are the straightforward to identify constant drips from a tap that may have a damaged thread or faucet but it's the without detection leaks that, more often than not, will cause the most Problems and cost the most re lost water, money and inconvenience. These undetected leaks will, over time, cause structural damage as well as lead to mold expansion.
There are all kinds of reasons for without detection leaks : perhaps damage was unintentional like a nail or screw being pushed thru a pipe when hanging a picture. Maybe plumbing joints have not been sealed properly or pipes have simply corroded with age. New buildings have a tendency to 'stretch' during their first few years too, that may cause undue strain on fixed plumbing. At least Problems with new houses are normally covered by a builders guaranty.
The four straightforward to spot giveaway appearances of a unnoticed leak are moistness ( particularly on walls ), small pools of water on the floor, a sour smell and or mold.
Mold could cause major health Problems and will spread quickly if it's not dealt with properly, becoming more and more expensive to remedy as it does so.
Wetness on walls normally means that the structure of your home is being degraded swiftly. Structural damage to non load-bearing walls is routinely not too big an expense to deal with but damage to load-bearing walls and structures can be very pricey to repair not to mention involve a major upheaval in living agreements so that the earlier that Problems are identified, the better.
If you need to spot any of the appearances of unnoticed Problems, you must call in an expert at the earliest possible time. Any qualified plumber or home inspector / surveyor should quickly be ready to confirm the existence of any major problems and even if no Problems are noted, paying a small call-out fee to a plumber has got to be worth the reassurance it'll bring. If you have home insurance, the cost of any repairs due will routinely be covered and if you are a tenant, your landlord will be responsible for the costs of mending, which are potentially also insured anyway.
On a last note for potential homebuyers, it is always worth paying a little extra for a full structural survey, where potential plumbing issues should be identified. Making an investment in such a rigorous home inspection always pays dividends in identifying possible difficulties.
