Water damage has an incredible ability to find its way into all sorts of strange places. Leaking pipes are a serious issue—if you are not at home when your system springs a leak or are otherwise unable to turn off your water supply at the stopcock, your property can become water-damaged, which could even affect its structural integrity.
Repairing structural damage costs a fortune, so here’s how to deal with leaking pipes from the experts at ServiceMaster of Savannah.
How to Spot a Leaking Pipe
- A huge increase in water bills. Receiving a larger water bill despite using the same volume of water is highly indicative of a leak somewhere along the pipeline.
- Dripping sounds. Locate the source of the sound; it’s the most common sign of a water leak.
- Mold growth. Mold thrives where there is moisture, and a water leak is perfect for mold development. If you spot dark or slimy growths around the house and a nasty smell, that’s a sure sign of water damage and mold.
- Discolored walls or ceilings. Water damage can leave stains on a white wall or ceiling. If it gets serious, it can cause sagging and an eventual collapse.
How Do I Handle a Leaking Pipe?
STOP THE WATER
- The first steps to fixing a leaking pipe are to find your stopcock and switch off your water supply, or turn off the water valve to the problematic pipe. You might need a flat-head screwdriver to turn the water valve.
PERFORM MINOR REPAIRS
- If the leak is simply caused by a loose joint, then you can tighten this joint with a little effort—you might need a spanner, but some joints can be tightened up perfectly by hand.
- If a pipe is leaking, you may have to remove the whole pipe and replace it with an exact duplicate to complete your emergency leak repair.
CALL A PLUMBER
- Bear in mind that it is not necessarily easy to unscrew a pipe—if you turn a threaded galvanized steel pipe to loosen one end, you will tighten it on the other end, and if you are replacing a copper pipe, you will have to sweat-solder it back into place!
- Therefore, it is understandable if you want to leave the pipe replacement work to a specialized plumber.
REMOVE WATER
- You want to completely drain all the water from the pipe so you don’t end up with gallons on the floor. When the water stops flowing from the pipe, you know it has been completely drained.
- Wipe the leaking pipe with a towel until it is completely dry. Leave this towel on the floor underneath the leaking pipe so you can catch any residual water that has not yet been expelled.
There could be several reasons for your plumbing issues, so it’s better to trust professionals. After all, you could end up making it worse and you could be faced with a hefty bill to pay to repair the damage. We help, we repair, and we care!
Contact us at (912) 244-6966 for your water damage restoration needs in Savannah, GA, and surrounding areas. You can also message us through our online contact form. We’re here to help!
