Plumbing Issues: Plumbing Tips on How to Diagnose a Hidden Leak in Your Wall

Most of the plumbing pipes that supply your home with water or remove wastewater are usually hidden such that one can't see them easily. They are often integrated into the walls under the floor and in the ground outside your home. This means that if the pipe inside the wall develops a problem and starts leaking water, you may not notice it immediately. A leak inside the wall can cause severe damage to the structure of your home. Here are four subtle signs that can help you discover whether you have wall leaks.

Does Your Wall Have Patches of Mould and Mildew?

Mould needs moisture and warmth to grow. When it appears on your walls, they take a dark greying hue and start smelling musty.  Mildew, on the other hand, appears in the form of black spots on the wall. If you realise that the mould and mildew have developed in a pattern that seems to follow a certain structure or are localised to one part of the wall, it is advisable to call a plumber to check it out.

Does Your Wall Paint Peel?

When there is moisture on a wall for an extended period, the paint soaks it in. As it gets saturated with water, the paint swells and starts bubbling. If heat or sunshine gets to the wall or you apply any other external force, it'll start cracking and peeling. Once you notice an unexplained pattern of peeling paint on your walls, contact a professional plumber immediately so they can fix the problem in good time. They will use imaging technology to help you locate the leak and fix it.

Does the Wall Look Warped?

When water from the pipe comes into contact with the wall material, it swells or expands. On the other hand, when the temperatures rise and the wall loses some of the humidity, the wall contracts. Due to the intermittent warming and cooling of the temperature, the wall structure is likely to experience eventual distortion. Call in a plumber if your walls have started warping for no apparent reason.

Does Your House Have a Musty Smell?

Moisture on the wall creates mould. In most cases, mould comes with a musty smell that does not go away, no matter how much cleaning you do. Mould growth could indicate you have some unidentified leaks in your home. And since inhaling mould might affect you or even compromise your health in various ways, it's advisable to call in an experienced plumber to identify the leaks the moment you notice that musty smell.

Call a plumbing company soon as you notice leaks inside the walls. If you fix the hidden leaks in time, you could save your home from serious structural damage.