Common Signs Of Leaky Water Lines In Your Property

Water leaks can be elusive, oftentimes developing behind the walls, floors, and ceilings of our plumbing systems. Leaks can go unnoticed for long periods of time and as a result, cause major damage to buildings, foundations, and landscapes. It’s important to locate leaky water lines as soon as you see a sign of a water leak.

Here are 6 common warning signs of water leaks that you, as a property manager or owner, can take note of in order to avoid a catastrophe.

1.Increase in water bills

No-one enjoys paying for water bills, which is why getting an increased monthly bill could damper a property manager or owner’s day. If your water bill skyrockets and you are unsure why, you could have a water leak in your property.

To ensure this bill increase is not due to seasonal changes, you must keep track of your monthly water bills. Take note that your water bill should not go up more than $15 dollars monthly. If it does, there is definitely a sign that your water system has a problem, and that tracking your bills every month can help to define it.

2. Sound of running water

If you hear water running from a toilet (or alternatively dripping from a tap), you may have a leaky water lines. The first step when hearing the sound of running water in your property’s plumbing fixtures is to check the faucets and toilet valves.

The second step is to get a reading of your water meter (or the meter in the zone). You will then go back in a few hours to obtain another meter reading. If you see a change in the reading, it might be an indication that water is running and a potential leak may be ensuing.

3. Mold, mildew, or foul odors

There is the possibility that mold or mildew can develop in places where water runs in your property (bathroom, kitchen, etc). However, mold growing in weird places (the corners along the ceiling and floor) are more often than not indicative of a leaky water lines in your property. Mold growth begins in about 24 hours and begins to colonize in 3–10 days, bringing a foul smell and becoming visible after around 15 days.

Foul odors often come from mold and can also be a sign of a hidden leaky water line. If there is a musty odor in your property, ensure to take the necessary measures and call a plumber to address the problem, whether there is a leaky water line or not. Both musty odors and mold (especially black mold) can pose a dangerous hazard to our health, which is also why it’s important to mitigate the issue as soon as it’s located.

4. Ticking water meter

If your water meter continuously runs or ticks, you may have a leaky water line in your property. In a situation like this, it’s important to shut off all the water in your property (or the zone where the water meter is running). You will then want to see if the water meter still ticks. If the meter continues to tick, the water may be leaking in a different location than you initially assumed.

5. Cracks in the floors, foundation, or walls

Any damage to floors or stains on the ceilings can be caused by water leaks. Even a small leaky fixture can cause cracks in the foundation of your property and compromise the entire structure (this is often seen in parking garages in larger properties). If you see vertical or diagonal cracks in your walls or floors, it’s important to call a plumber right away, in order to avoid the ground beneath your home or property shifting (and leaks from ensuing).

6. Wet spots or damp floors

If you see warped walls, buckled floors, or any bubbling on the drywall, you may have a water leak coming on, as these are all signs of water exposure. It may be easy to ignore the signs and simply put down a towel and hope that the leak goes away by itself. You might think that someone spilled their drink on the floor and didn’t wipe it up.

However, if you continue to ignore the problem, you will begin to allow moisture to build up and mold or mildew to develop. Don’t forget about foul smells, too! Ensure to call a plumber to fix any sign of wet spots or damp floors in your property as soon as you locate them.

If you have any of these problems, there is a large chance that you have a water leak either ensuing, or already aggressively present in your piping system. Ensure to find the source of the problem and do not wait, as small water leaks can lead to big issues in your property.

For predictive measures: (1) track your monthly water bills, (2) listen for the sound of running fixtures, (3) search for mold, mildew or foul odors, (4) check that water meter, (5) look for cracks in the foundation, and (6) wet spots on the floors.

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