Water is one of the most hated enemies of the homeowner. When it gets where it shouldn’t, it’s more than an annoyance. Water left to leak can cost you money at best and do serious damage to the structure of the home at worst. Stop the rot in its tracks by finding where you’re likely to see water damage, whether from a leak or from moisture buildup.
Check the pipes first and foremost
The plumbing is likely to be the source of most leaks. It’s also the one you want to stop as soon as possible. After all, if you’re on a metered line, every drop wasted is costing you a little more. The first thing you have to do is find the water shutoff valve and cut the supply to the home. Services like Davis Plumbing & Drain Service can help you deal with most issues, but you should try to divine the source in advance without getting too hands on. This way, you can point them in the right direction and maybe save yourself some charges. Beyond the toilet, sinks, and bath, check the meter line outside the home, any hose bibs, and your shower heads.
In over your head
If you’re seeing a leak coming from up over your head when it’s raining, it could be a sign that your roof is in dire need of a fixing. If even one tile is cracked or missing, it gives the water outside a gap to find a way in. Older roofs tend to get more porous, anyway, so if yours is around 25 years old, it might be time to replace it. Certain materials like metal roofs are a lot less likely to be the cause of leaks.
A breath of fresh air
We use air conditioners to control air quality and temperature, but older or malfunctioning units can actually make the air we breathe unhealthy. They tend to leak when there’s a clogged drain line or a dirty air filter. If you can’t find the source and clean it or replace it yourself, you need help from people like Honest Air Inc. Even if the leak isn’t too serious, the buildup of moisture is something to be seriously concerned about. It can contribute to worrying respiratory diseases like asthma and legionnaire’s disease
It’s all mold news
It might not necessarily be a leak that’s causing damage to the home. But the buildup of moisture can lead to problems just as serious and unhealthy, like mold and damp. The way that most people first notice mold is by either smelling it or seeing it. But you have to find the source of the mold beyond eliminating what you can see. Again, roof damage can be a cause, but so can any air leaks. Faulty ventilation and the mix of moisture and heat can cause to grow just about anywhere in the home.
The sooner you find the cause of a leak or moisture buildup in the home and deal with it, the better. The vast majority of them are plumbing issues, but that doesn’t mean that’s always the case. Be aware, check it out, and be safe.
