Mississauga Handyman: How To Detect a Plumbing Leak

Your home is a big investment, so keeping an eye out for trouble is an important step in safeguarding it. This is especially true when it comes to plumbing leaks, which, when left unchecked, may cause significant water damage to your house and everything in it.

Fortunately, there are some simple things to monitor that help homeowners uncover potential leaks before they worsen. Here’s what to watch out for, along with how to find the best plumbers in Mississauga to handle everything from minor fix-it jobs to full bathroom renovations.

Your Water Bill Is Rising

Unless your use has increased for an obvious reason, such as hosting houseguests, filling your swimming pool, or installing a larger yard irrigation system, if you notice a sudden spike in your water bill it might indicate you have a leak. From a simple dripping faucet to a serious pipe rupture, leaks small and large wastewater, resulting in higher bills. If there’s an uptick in your charges, start investigating.

You See Water When Checking Appliances and Fixtures

It’s not uncommon for pipes and hookups around your plumbing fixtures and water-using appliances to leak. When you’re searching for potential trouble spots, start by checking for puddled water beneath your sinks and around your toilets, tubs, and showers.

Once plumbing fixtures are examined, follow that up by investigating appliances that require a water supply, such as your washing machine, dishwasher, and water heater. If your refrigerator has an ice-making feature, be sure to check that, too. Any unexpected puddling is concerning, so call in a plumber as soon as possible.

You Notice Discoloured Walls

Unfortunately, not all leaks present themselves clearly. As you look further for potential problems, watch also for water stains on your walls. Although the source of a leak may be deep within a wall, it eventually reaches the surface and causes discolouration.

Discolouration due to excess moisture often appears yellow or brownish, but bear in mind this varies depending on your wall material and any paint or wallpaper that’s been applied. In some cases, discolourations may look faded or washed out. Regardless of how they appear, when you spot these changes it’s time to bring in an expert to search for hidden leaks.

You’re Smelling Mould and Mildew

One last thing to check for in investigating a leak is the presence of mould and mildew. Even a recently developed leak can trigger the start of fungus growth, and when your problem is in an out-of-the-way spot you may notice odours before you see visible signs of mould and mildew activity.

Mould and mildew smell stale and damp and are often just mildly musty at the start of their development. Over time, the odour’s pungency increases, as does the danger of living with these potentially allergenic and toxigenic spores. If you’re looking for a leak and catch a musty whiff of air, contact a plumber immediately.

Let Handyman Connection Find and Fix Your Leak

While these tips help homeowners identify leaks, your safest course is action is to call in a professional plumber as soon as you suspect an issue. The team at Handyman Connection has the know-how to quickly zero in on plumbing problems and get your pipes back into working order.

Whether you need a handyman in Mississauga to help with repairs around the house or are planning a full-scale remodel or renovation project at home or at work, our Handyman Connection experts are ready to tackle any task. We provide excellent service and quality workmanship you can trust. Just give us a call or fill out our online estimate request form, and put your plumbing leaks and other household worries into the capable hands of our service professionals today!