Plumbing Leaks in Your Dallas Home? Here’s What To Do

Photo by Michal Matlon

Originally Posted On: https://www.mrrooter.com/dallas/about-us/blog/2020/april/plumbing-leaks-in-your-dallas-home-heres-what-to/

You’ve come across a puddle of water in your home in Dallas, probably ruining another pair of good socks in the process.

You have no idea where the water came from, and you’re not sure what to do about the leak.

Don’t fret. We are experts in dealing with plumbing leaks in Dallas and know precisely how to approach this problem.

Keep reading to learn how to protect yourself and take the next steps after you’ve suspected a leak in your home.

It is essential to recognize the signs of a water leak. Determining the presence of a leak affects what steps you take next in protecting yourself and those who live around you.

• Puddles of water with no known source found within your home
• An increase in your water bill over time without explanation
• A lawn that appears to be slushing with water
• Still water outside of your home

You’ve read the list above and noticed that you meet one or more of the above criteria.

Now, you’d like to confirm that the sign(s) that you saw is actually from a water leak and not your toddler spilling a drink on the floor.

You can do this on your own before you start looking to hire a Dallas plumbing company, but don’t worry. We’ll touch on finding the perfect company later.

To verify that you have a leak in your home, you should start with shutting off all of your water. Water sources to shut off include things like your faucets, washing machines, and dishwashers.

After turning all of these off, head to your water meter put in place by the city. These are great tools for Dallas leak detection. You can find your water meter on the outside of your home.

Look to see if the meter is still moving even after you’ve shut off all of the water sources. If it is, there is most definitely a leak somewhere.

If the water meter isn’t moving, make a note of where the meter is now. Return in 15 minutes, being sure to keep all of the water off for this period of time. If the meter has moved in this amount of time, you may have a small plumbing leak.

If you’re worried about where this leak might be, feel free to check out where to look for potential plumbing leaks. Checking these common places can prevent further plumbing problems and housing damage.

You’ve confirmed that there is a leak in your home, whether by physically seeing it or noticing a steady increase in your water bill.

Now, you’re wondering whether it’s worth your worry and stress.

If your home is leaking water, you are using more water. If you are using more water, your water bill will increase over time. It’s simple to see how this affects your wallet.

This (hopefully) slow increase in your water bill is why keeping an eye on your water meter over time is essential.

No one wants to pay more than necessary for their water bill, and no one wants to pay for water that they aren’t even using.

If your water usage has remained steady over time, but there is still a noticeable change in the amount charged on your water bill, it worth looking into why the difference is there.

If you do see what you consider to be a noticeable change in your water bill, look through some of the most common causes of high water bills. You may find an explanation on our list that can help you lower that water bill and prevent overspending.

Remember that you can detect slow leaks by looking at any changes in the meter over time while ensuring that all sources of water remain turned off.

The leaks themselves may not cause you to feel ill, but the mold and mildew that thrive in these environments are hazardous to humans.

Mold and mildew are both types of fungi that grow naturally in the moisture-rich environment made from plumbing leaks. Unfortunately, the only ways to get rid of them involve cutting the species off from any oxygen or creating an extreme temperature environment (making the house extremely cold or extremely warm).

Removing mold and mildew by these methods is – of course – challenging to do when they’re located in your home. You do not want to compromise your comfort.

The only known way to fight mold and mildew in your home is to prevent moisture and ensure proper airflow. Preventing moisture includes preventing the leaks that lead to moisture.

To understand the health effects that mold and mildew have, you have to understand the properties mold and mildew themselves.

Mildew is the lesser of the two evils. It is usually of a brown or light gray color and appears to be a powdery consistency.

Mildew grows on surfaces, and you can remove it with vinegar or bleach. Mold is not so easy.

Mold grows rapidly in moist environments. It produces spores that cause allergic reactions, irritation, and even considerable damage to the respiratory system.

Mold comes in many different colors and can go through surfaces. If you find mold on a surface, it is most likely inside and under that surface as well, so it is worth calling a professional to conduct a thorough clean.

With both mildew and mold, respiratory problems can arise. These can include:

• nasal congestion
• shortness of breath
• itchy, red eyes
• coughing
• sneezing
• sore throat

These symptoms are caused by breathing in the spores that are produced by the mold and mildew. When combined with pre-existing conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the symptoms are even worse and can cause long-term, even fatal issues.

The best way to prevent mold and mildew is by ensuring that there are no leaks in your home. Here’s what you can do to handle mold and mildew if you believe that they are invading your home.

Water’s effect on your home goes beyond the mold and mildew that may appear on and in different surfaces.

Plumbing leaks that go undetected can wreak major havoc on your home’s structural integrity.

Pipes run behind walls, floors, and ceilings. Because of this, your home’s structural build is in trouble when those pipes begin to leak.

Leaking water can get into these surfaces of your home and cause them to become compromised. This leaking water is especially a problem when it comes to ceilings because of weakening that can occur over time.

A weakened structure can lead to the collapse of your home. Having furniture, appliances, or other heavy items on the top floor of a two-story home can make this danger even greater as a damp ceiling will not be able to hold these anymore.

Water coming from pipes behind walls can lead to chipping paint or peeling wallpaper. Wall frames may also become affected as the water moves across the walls.

Water can cause the structure of your home to crumble over time slowly. It’s essential to make sure that you recognize the signs before your bedroom furniture from upstairs ends up in your kitchen downstairs.

Whether you believe that you have a leak now or want to prevent your home from having one in the future, it is crucial to take action.

No one wants to pay an outrageous water bill or worry about their house caving in.

The number one way to prevent plumbing leaks in your Dallas home is to reduce the water pressure. High water pressure causes stress in the pipes and can lead to a pipe leaking, or even bursting.

Another way to prevent leaks is to soften the water in your home. Softening your water simply means reducing the mineral content in the water. Hard water – or water with a high mineral content – can cause buildup in pipes and increase pressure.

Maintaining plumbing is also vital for ensuring you and your home’s continued protection. This maintenance simply means checking your pipes and replacing things as needed.

You should be inspecting your washing machine regularly. Over time, washing large loads of laundry can wear the washing machine hoses out. Look for any leaks or cracks on the surface and replace them as needed.

You should also inspect your toilet multiple times a year, as this is one of the most common sites for a leak to take place. It is also important to make sure that toilet paper is the only other waste product that you put in the toilet before flushing.

Another popular place for leaks is basements. This – and relation to ground level – is why basements are so popularly known for flooding.

Be sure to check under your home and around your home for standing water. This – as explained before – is a sign of excess moisture from probable leaks or poor ventilation.

Keeping up with regular home maintenance is important. Proper maintenance can mean the difference between fixing one worn-down pipe and replacing an entire ceiling.

If you think or know that you have found a leak, you can take measures to protect yourself until you can get into contact with a trusted Dallas plumbing & drain cleaning professional.

First, you need to shut off all of the water. Turning off things like the washing machine and the dishwasher will not help alleviate damage since the water will continue to leak.

You have to turn off the main water valve to prevent any further damage from the leaking pipe(s).

The next thing to do is clear electrical appliances of any moisture. Clearance includes unplugging electrical appliances so that any water that may be in the walls doesn’t cause any shocks.

Next, move out all valuables so that they don’t suffer any water damage.

It may also be worth your time to clear out everything in your house. Clearing out valuable possessions will ensure that nothing is damaged, and it will make it easier for your chosen plumber to provide the best service for you.

If the leak has caused still water puddles around your home, it is crucial to remove as much water as you possibly can. Removing the water helps prevent it from seeping down into the building material.

Taking protective measures even after finding the leak can prevent further damage.

The next step is to bring the right team into your home to repair any damage that the water has already caused.

There are many factors to consider when hiring a plumbing expert to come into your home. After all, an improper fix could mean your house is getting ready to cave in.

When hiring a plumbing professional, it is pertinent to consider the plumber’s experience and qualifications. You don’t want to bring someone who has no idea what they’re doing into your home.

Reading about previous customers’ experiences is one of the most popular ways to determine what professionals to hire. Keep these customer reviews in mind when hiring the right company.

When piping damage leads to immediate problems, it is crucial to have a provider who is always open and willing to help. Many plumbing companies offer 24/7 emergency services to help customers who are experiencing immediate problems.

If you’re looking for a company that meets all of these criteria, meet Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Dallas.

Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Dallas has decades of industry experience. Over this time, we have built an excellent relationship with our customers and provided reliable service.

We value our customers and ensure that our plumbers are always respectful when entering homes. We walk you through every step and ensure that you are comfortable during the repair process.

Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Dallas is also available 24 hours a day for 7 days a week to address all of your immediate concerns.

Contact us today at (214) 838-8232 to hire a dependable, experienced plumber for your plumbing leaks in Dallas.