When your Atlanta area home or business has a plumbing leak, time is of the essence. Even a small water intrusion can cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars in damages.
A recent study by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, “Prevent Water Damage from Plumbing Systems and Drains,” reveals just how much damage a small water leak can cost. “It only takes a small amount of water soaking into floors, walls or cabinets from a faulty pipe, or bubbling up from a backed-up sewer drain to cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home or business. An IBHS study of closed water damage insurance claims identified plumbing pipes and drain systems as leading causes of interior water damage.”
“This type of failure costs homeowners time and money more often than any other source of water loss. The average cost of an incident was more than $5,000 after the insurance deductible was paid. The majority of insurance claims were caused by corroded, rusty, or frozen pipes, which can be prevented by proper maintenance.”
A few signs to look for include;
Water stains, whether it's a stain in the ceiling, walls, cabinets, or flooring, it's a sure-fire way to know something is leaking.
Peeling wallpaper, blistering paint or warping walls, are an indication of a leak.
Any moisture or wet spots under the bathroom and kitchen cabinets.
A musty or wet smell.
Walk around the yard and look for any wet or mushy spots.
Warm or wet spots on the floor, broken tiles or uneven flooring.
Higher than usual water bill, check with the neighbors and ask them how much their water bill usually runs.
Drop in water pressure, the sound of running water when everything is turned off or any unusual sounds.
Any wet or moist areas around the toilet
Your pool is losing more water than normal, use the bucket test to determine how much water you're losing.
As a backup, let technology pay attention for you by installing a house leak detection system.