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Water Leaks in Your Home: Everything You Need to Know

Water leaks in a home can cause several damages and encourage the growth of unwanted organic substances. Water is one of the essential components in any household as long as it stays contained in a sink, tub, pipe or any appliance.

Here, we will see the effects of water leaks in houses. Keep reading to know more about the same.

What Are the Damages Caused by Water Leakage?

Water leakage in a house can increase the monthly utility bills significantly. Water leaks in your home can cause severe damage if not taken care of properly. Here are some of the damage caused by water leaks in your home:

  • Mould and Mildew: Build-up of mould and mildew is one of the most significant damages caused by water leakage. It turns out to be very dangerous as it can cause several health issues, such as breathing problems, asthma, coughing, emphysema, chronic diseases, etc.

Further, water leakage in a house can lead to allergies and caustic rashes. In addition, mildew has a perspicuous smell that is not good for human health. On the other hand, the mould easily spreads throughout the house in clothes, furniture and carpets.

Black mould, one of the worst forms, is toxic to human health and spreads quickly into flooring, ceiling tiles, wooden frames and even walls.

  • Structural Damages to Property: Water leakage damages the ceiling and attic of a house. An attic is a place where people tend to store unused items in a house. In case water enters the attic, it can cause disastrous circumstances. Further, the ceiling paints and wall painting appear dark due to water leakage. Even a tiny leak in the toilet or kitchen can be harmful to the insulation of a house.
  • Fire Hazards:I respective of the place of leakage, water can cause life-threatening fire hazards in a house. Shorted wires can lead to fire threats; hence, if you see any water leakage, you should immediately switch off your house's electricity and contact an electrician.

 

Read more about Home Insurance policy by Digit.

How to Find a Plumbing Leak in Your Home?

If you are worried about water leakage, follow these tips to find a water leak in the house: 

  • Do a water metre test by turning off the faucets installed in your house. Then, check the water metre and see if it is still running. In case the water metre blinks, it is a clear indication of water leakage.
  • Another method to find leakage is turning off the faucets and checking the water pressure. If the water pressure is lower than usual, your house may have a water leak.
  • You can also identify leakage by carefully listening to the sounds of running water through floors or walls.
  • You can also look for signs of dampness around the laundry area, bathroom or kitchen. In case you notice wet walls and water drips, it can be a sign of water leakage.

To sum it up, whatever method you opt for to identify the leakage, make sure not to ignore the issue. Water leaks in houses do not resolve on their own and can cause severe damage if left unresolved. Further, delaying the issue can lead you to pay hefty repair bills in the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I check first to identify a water leakage?

To see if your house has a water leakage, you can check the water metre by turning off all the faucets. If the water metre keeps running after some time, it clearly indicates leakage.

Can one-time water leakage cause mould?

Even a small water leakage can cause mould in your house. Black mould, which is one of the worst kinds of mould, grows due to the intrusion of chronic water.

How can water damage lead to electrocution?

Damage to electrical equipment and frayed wiring is common during water leakages. This presents the risk of electrocution.