The Dangers of Plumbing Leaks in Your Home

Leaks: as a homeowner, you definitely try to avoid them at all costs, be these a leaky faucet to a leaky roof to everything in between. After all, not only would a leak in a plumbing fixture be expensive to get repaired or replaced, but it could wreak damage in the home as well.

However, unfortunately, sometimes leaks happen. Handy homeowners may get in over their heads and tinker around with pipes, damaging them and springing a leak. Sometimes an old pipe, even when untouched, breaks down. Here are some reasons you shouldn’t simply grab a bucket or a rag to plug up the leak, but call a professional plumber right away.

No matter what room in the house has a faulty pipe or other plumbing fixture, it would probably be ruined if drenched in dirty water. Wooden floors can warp and rot, wallpaper can soak through and curl, and marble flooring can stain. Appliances like refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, and more will be rendered useless if exposed to too much water.

Depending on how old the house is, and depending on where the leak is coming from, the home’s structural integrity may be at risk. If the roof or ceiling has a leak that is unaddressed, the whole ceiling can potentially collapse after being damaged and warped from the consistent water. Obviously, this can be deadly.

Leaks from pipes and other plumbing fixtures can damage a home’s exterior, too. If a septic tank is backed up, that water and waste can flood the backyard, killing plants, flowers, and grass. If a homeowner has a pool, the septic waste can get into the pool as well. The water would have to be drained, which is a waste of both time and money.

Even the homeowner’s family is at risk by living in a home with a leaky pipe. Experts say people can experience a variety of symptoms if exposed to damp, moldy conditions long enough. These include fever, exhaustion, rashes, congestion, increased respiratory infections, sneezing, coughing, and sore throat.

Unfortunately, many of these symptoms look like a regular case of allergies or the common cold. It can be easy to ignore them and think they’ll go away on their own with time or some over-the-counter medication, but these symptoms won’t abate until the moldy room is cleared.

Not only are the above situations hugely expensive (as they would require whole rooms in the house to be remodeled completely from scratch in most cases), but they’re also dangerous for a family’s health. While it can certainly be tough to pinpoint the source of a leak, there’s no reason for a homeowner to play detective.

Plumbers are trained at detecting leaks that a homeowner might miss. If caught early enough, it’s possible a plumber can fix the leak with minimal effort and cost towards the homeowner. However, if a pipe or other fixture is leaking significantly, replacement is typically the only option. Next time you hear a dripping sound that you know just isn’t right, don’t waste time guessing what it is or where it’s coming from. Contact an area plumber today.