Is there an unexplained increase on your water bill? When the house is still at night, can you make out a faint drip from within the walls? Perhaps you have come across a ceiling stain that was not present a month ago.
Tennessee homeowners are wont to lose sleep over such things, and for good reason: they are indicative of a plumbing leak you cannot see. We at Pioneer Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical have put our families to mind by tracking down and mending leaks all over Tennessee since 1981. Should you have any misgivings, we are at (615) 933-2288.
A plumbing leak will not put up a sign. It is apt to be small at first, concealed under the floor or in the wall, inflicting its damage before you are even aware of it. But for the most part your home will let on. Pick up on what it is telling you and you will be sparing yourself no end of stress and some considerable expense.
Your Water Bill Is Climbing Without Explanation
Habitually you would not expect your bill to go up if you have not changed your ways. Yet a toilet left running or a slow one under the slab can put hundreds of gallons to waste in a day with nary a drop to show for it. If the numbers are up and you have no account for it, that water has made its way to where you do not want it.
Common Red Flags to Watch For
The bill is not always the first place you will see evidence of a leak. There are physical manifestations around the house well ahead of you locating the source. Be on the lookout for:
- Stains of water on floors, walls or ceilings
- An abiding musty or damp odour
- Wallpaper that is bubbling or paint peeling
- Floorboards that have buckled or warped
- Mildew or mold in the corners and under sinks
- A tap that gives less pressure than usual
- Running water when the faucets are off
You may not think much of any one of these in isolation. Put two or three together however and you should have a look at them.
Toilets and Faucets
In terms of hidden waste, the toilet is a frequent offender. You probably have a leak in the tank if you have to jiggle the handle to put an end to the water or the tank seems to be refilling of its accord.
There is an easy way to check. Put some food coloring in the tank and leave it for twenty minutes or so; do not flush. Any color in the bowl means you have a problem. Then there are the faucets. The moisture from one that drips can put wear on your fixtures in short order and run up the tab by thousands of gallons annually.
Under Sinks and the Water Heater
Make it a point to inspect the area under your sinks and the water heater now and then for dampness, corrosion or a puddle. In this part of the country older pipes and homes are not unusual and a leak at a connection can get out of hand. Most people do not bother to check until the harm is done, but a minute once a month will reveal what is there while the cost to put it right is low.
Why You Need to Act in Tennessee
Our weather puts a strain on your plumbing. Humid summers are conducive to mold about a leak, and in Middle and East Tennessee a cold snap will freeze and crack a pipe. Let water stand where it ought not and it will do its work on the foundation, the drywall and the wood. Early intervention is the name of the game; delay and the problem will only get bigger.
Call in the Pros
You can deal with some leaks yourself. Others are behind a wall or under the slab. When the damage is spreading or you are at a loss as to the source, a licensed and insured plumber is called for.
We have been of service to the homeowner in Tennessee for more than 40 years, in Knoxville and Chattanooga as well as Cookeville and Nashville. And because we are on hand 24/7, a midnight leak does not have to bide its time till morning. We provide financing and a free estimate to boot.
See any of the above and do not put it off. Get in touch with our team at Pioneer Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, (615) 933-2288, and we will have the matter sorted before it becomes a costly affair.