Water leaks – these two words can become an expensive nightmare for homeowners. If not caught in time, they can often ruin your home’s structure.

Many are usually unsure what to do when they come across one. Do you try to fix it yourself? Should you call a professional for help? Here are some signs that you might have a leak and a few tips you can use to stop it.

Signs Your Home Has a Water Leak

Water leaks can be obvious or hidden. Some of the most common instances that you might have one include:

• You notice your water bill is abnormally high.
• You hear water running behind the walls.
• You find that paint or wallpaper is bubbling or peeling off of the wall.
• Your home has a musty smell.

What to Do

If you notice a water leak, don’t panic. The first thing you’ll want to do is turn off the water valve. This is usually situated in your crawl space or near your living space’s main plumbing line. You’ll want to carefully turn it until you hear the water stop running.

After doing so, go back to the leak and inspect it. If you notice a loose valve or screw, use pliers or a screwdriver to tighten it back in place. If there’s a crack, grab some plumber’s tape and wrap it around the spot. The tape will create tension which will keep the water inside the pipe and stop it from oozing out.

Once this is done, call an expert to fix it. Many times, they’ll come out immediately, especially if you’re unable to temporarily stop the leak.

How to Prevent Water Leaks

Most of the time this issue can be averted by taking a few preventive steps. Some to do include:

• Making sure to clean out your gutters. Otherwise, they’ll become clogged which can lead to water leaking over the edges and into small crevices.
• Ensuring your sump pump is operating correctly.
• Doing regular inspections of your pipes and appliances, especially dishwashers and toilets.
• Avoiding putting grease and food scraps down drains which can create obstructions.

Water leaks can be a scary problem. Not only are they costly but they can ruin almost everything they come into contact with. If you’re worried you might have one or want to get your pipes inspected, contact RCS. We’ll quickly dispatch a team to inspect the problem and get to work repairing it.