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The Dangers Of Hidden Water Leaks That A Plumber Can Prevent | Houston, TX
For most people, a home is one of the biggest investments they own. Being a lifetime investment and a place you call home, you always take every step to maintain it in mint condition. You want any issue handled promptly to improve your property’s comfort, safety, and functionality. But wait, have you ever faced water leaks in your Houston, TX, home? While water is essential to our daily lives, it can have a devastating effect on homes. Water leakage can result in waste of water, damage your home, and encourage unwanted organic growth.
In most cases, water leaks are difficult to detect. Once found, extensive damage may have already occurred, resulting in repairs worth thousands of dollars. This is not what you want. There are different causes of household water leaks, including pipe corrosion, broken seals, clogged pipes, and loose water connectors. No matter the cause, acting promptly can prevent further damages and costs. Are you wondering why you must have water leaks repaired as soon as possible? Read more to learn the five hidden dangers of home water leaks and why you should call a plumber in case of leaks.
1. Mold and Mildew Issues
Mold and mildew are the most common yet serious issues resulting from a water leak. Home mold and mildew appear and grow in damp areas where moisture is building up easily. Even drops of leaking water can create the right environment for mold and mildew. If the growth starts, it can easily spread to other areas of your home, including floors, walls, furniture, and HVAC system. When this happens, you and your family are exposed to health risks as mold is toxic. Also, you’ll need to work with a plumber to remove the mold, which can be very expensive.
To avoid the adverse effects of mold and mildew, contact a plumber after noticing signs of a potential water leak. Mold can be white, black, spotted, or even any other color. If what you see meets these signs, chances are it’s mold. This signifies a water leak nearby that needs to be handled promptly. Consider contacting a plumber to remove the mold and repair the water leak to prevent more damage and potential health risk.
2. Increased Utility Bills
If your plumbing system leaks, every drop will increase your monthly water bills. Also, water leaks can increase your energy consumption, pushing your utility bills higher. Are you wondering how? Well, when water damages your wall, the insulation is also affected. As the leak penetrates the attic, roof, or ceiling, it will saturate damage to any insulation along the way. This means your home becomes ineffective at maintaining the right indoor temperature. To keep your home indoors comfy, your HVAC system will need to either cool or heat more, consuming more energy. The damage will spread and reflect on your utility bills if the water leak is not handled. Hire a plumber to have the issue identified and solved.
3. Structural Damage
Are you aware that water leaks can result in structural damage to your home? Water leaks can easily damage the rafters, ceiling joists, wall framing, attic, ceiling, and roof. If the structure of your Houston, TX, home is damaged, this only calls for extensive repairs and replacement. For instance, if the underneath structure of the roof is damaged, an entire roof replacement may be required. Also, repairs to the ceiling, wall, attic, rafters, and others can be very expensive to handle. To avoid astronomical costs, ensure early water leak detection to prevent extensive damage. Have a plumber install leakage detectors in your plumbing system to catch the leaks early before they cause structural damage.
4. Health Issues
Your home is a peaceful sanctuary for you and your family. It’s where you feel safe and secure from any harm or risk. But do you know water leaks present a potential health risk to you and your loved one? Apart from compromising the structural integrity of your property, mold and mildew pose serious health risks. This is especially worse for individuals with asthma and other respiratory issues. For the elderly, infants, and those with low immune systems, mold can even be more dangerous.
Mold spores are known to cause problems such as:
- Skin irritations
- Allergic reactions
- Coughing
- Itchy and red eyes
- Sneezing
Also, health risks from water leaks may result from household water contamination. Contamination is probable if the leak results from a broken or burst pipe carrying drinking water to your home. Different contaminants are likely to enter the pipe due to sudden changes in velocity or pressure. When this happens, some particles or organisms will get into your drinking water, lowering its quality. This further presents health issues to those drinking or using the water. Hence, have a licensed plumber patch the leaks and use antimicrobial foggers to clean the mold and ensure it doesn’t grow again.
5. Fire Hazard
One of the most unexpected dangers of home water leaks is fire. Fire is almost unavoidable if a water leak occurs near or near the electrical system. The water can lead to short circuits or shorted wires which can spark electrical fires, and your home is reduced to ashes. Also, the fire risk will be dangerous to your property and everyone living there. If you’ve identified a leak near your electrical wiring, switch off the electricity and call a plumber. Don’t try patching it yourself because you might also exacerbate the problem besides exposing yourself to the dangers of electrocution.
Do Not Take a Chance! Get Your Plumbing Fixed
Water leaks are among the most common but disastrous issues most homeowners encounter. It’s always necessary that you prepare in advance and stay ahead of such issues. Detecting water leaks on time can save you many problems and keep your family safe. However, you can avoid all these dangers by having a plumber conduct routine maintenance of your Houston, TX, plumbing system. If you are in need of plumbing repair, maintenance, or installations reach out to bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of West Houston today!
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