Water Leak Repairs

If you suspect a leak, the best way to start your investigation is to check your water meter. Write down the current level. Wait a few hours before using any water in the home and check the reading once again.  If there has been a change without using water in the home, you most likely have a leak.

Leaks are the most common plumbing issue.  While they are not always easy to spot, a leak of any size can cause damage to your home. This is especially true if they are left unattended for too long.   

• Pipes that are corroded – Pipes can corrode over time.  Older pipes should be inspected to identify any corrosion to avoid huge leaks in the future.
• Clogged Drain Lines – When clogs are present, they can burst your lines.
• Water Pressure that is Too High – High water pressure strains your system and can cause leaks.
• Pipe Joints – These joints are in your walls so the leaks can hide there.  Low water pressure is a sure sign that your pipe joints are leaking.
• Tree Roots – When tree roots search for water they could head for your home and damage your plumbing system.

Hidden leaks will get larger and cause damage to your home.  Those hidden leaks also raise your water bill and threaten the health of your family.

Absolutely! Pipes that are experiencing leaks will become corroded causing a larger leak that can do some major damage to your floors, walls, ceilings, furnishings, and décor. A small leak that has been ignored can increase your water bill and turn what was a small repair bill into a huge one.

lose 30k drips each day and 700 gallons a year.  A small leak can increase your bill by $20 to $30. This can add up to just under $400 each year. Check your water bill and compare the usage chart over a few months. It is important to check around your home for these symptoms of problems:

• Toilets – Silent leaks in the toilet can cause an increase in your utility bill.  To check for a toilet leak, use a few drops of food coloring in the tank.  Wait half an hour and see if the food coloring has leaked into the toilet bowl. If it has, it’s time to call Howell today!
• Water Pressure – If one or more faucet or showerhead in your home has low pressure, this is a sign of a leak somewhere in your plumbing system.
• Water Stains – Water damage will often show up in your floors or walls.  Look for wet or discolored areas.

• Finding water sitting around your water heater is a sign of a failing water heater tank. If you see a crack in your tank, get in touch with us as soon as possible. Contact us to schedule your water leak repair service. 
• Noisy fixtures can signal that you have water flowing somewhere.
• Water puddles in the yard. Check your spigot and for any sources of water.

If you believe you have a leak in your home but aren’t sure where it originates, check these areas:

• Bathrooms – look for moisture under the sink, the shower, caulking around the room.
• Kitchen – Check for moisture under the sink on the cabinet bottoms or the p trap.

This fungus is present where there is excessive moisture.  Within 24 to 48 hours of water leaking, mold begins to grow. It will continue until the repair has been made. Mold remediation is a costly process that requires the removal of any surfaces that have been contaminated.

Since structural integrity is lost as soon as the drywall is exposed to water, it is best to discard it and two feet beyond the water damage.

As soon as you see those tell-tale signs of leaks or increases in your water bill, pick up the phone and call Howell Services.  Hidden leaks are a hassle to locate and can do a lot of damage in a small amount of time.  Let the professionals identify the source of your leak and take care of the problem before it becomes a costly issue. Read more on finding plumbing leaks early.