One of the important services we offer as a plumber in Camarillo, CA is leak detection. Hidden leaks in homes account for massive water waste each year, often without the homeowners even knowing that they’re occurring. With our leak detection services, we can discover not only if your house has leaks, but where they are and the quickest and easiest way to fix them.
We recommend customers have leak detection done every five years, especially if they live in a house built before 1970. If you’ve never had leak detection for your house, you’re probably due to schedule it. We can catch these problems before they become problems.
You should also arrange for leak detection if you have suspicions of leaks. But how can you know you have leaks if they’re hidden? There are several signs to watch for, and here are six of the most common:
#1. Unusually high water usage on your bills
Water costs fluctuate, so the cost of your monthly utility bills may not warn you of leaks in the house. Instead, look at the gallons used per month and compare it to previous months. If it has started to rise and there’s no explanation (such as a change in seasons, guests in the house, etc.) then it’s a good idea to check for leaks.
#2. Water heater runs at odd times
The majority of plumbing leaks occur in hot water lines, and these leaks will affect the way the water heater runs. If the water heater keeps slowly losing its supply to leaks, the water heater will turn on to heat up more water when it wouldn’t normally need to.
#3. Mold and mildew growth
As water leaks under floors and in walls, the rise in humidity there will encourage the growth of mold and mildew. This is one of the most damaging aspects of hidden leaks because it harms building materials—but it’s also something you can notice that will warn you have leaks that need professional attention.
#4. Bad odors
This is related to the mold and mildew growth. Stagnant water from leaking pipes will create moldy and damp odors in rooms of the house.
#5. Discolored spots on walls and ceilings
If you notice a discolored stain appearing on a wall or the ceiling, it probably means leaking water is seeping through the drywall. This is most commonly seen in the ceiling beneath a bathroom, an area of the house with a large amount of plumbing pipes and fixtures. Don’t delay calling for a plumber when you see this.
#6. Warm floors
Unless you have in-floor heating built into your house, your floors should not start to suddenly feel warmer under your feet. This is a warning of water leaking from a hot water line under the floor.
You can check your water meter to make a test to see if there are leaks: write down the reading on the meter, then don’t use any water in the house for an hour. If the reading has gone up, the plumbing probably has leaks. Call us and we’ll be out to find those leaks and have them fixed.
Husted Plumbing serves the Greater Santa Barbara and Ventura County Area. Schedule your plumbing services with us today.