Leaks. A complete disaster, right? You’re sitting there happily minding your own business with a cup of coffee and browsing through a magazine when suddenly a drip falls on your reading material (or worse, in your coffee). It’s at that point when you realize that you have a leak.
Let’s rewind though: leaks don’t usually just happen all by themselves, they are usually caused by either a specific incident, such as a direct lightning strike or strong wind damaging the roof, or because someone has been neglecting their duties in home improvements and repairs.
The Problem with Leaks
Leaks can cause all sorts of problems in a home. Water ingress can ruin drywall, rot wood, and even cause mold, which can lead to problems for more vulnerable members of the family. That’s why it’s vital that we make a point of regular checking and roof maintenance and plumbing to ensure the risk is minimized.
One of the main problems with leaks is that they can be very hard to spot until they’ve already caused damage. Without proper monitoring, you may not realize you have a problem until you have an unfortunate indoor water feature you weren’t expecting. Once that happens, you will have even more things to worry about than a small repair!
Regular Maintenance Saves Money
Regular household maintenance is vital for any homeowner. Keeping your home in good condition and staying on top of repairs before they become bigger issues will mean you save money in the long run, and don’t run the risk of living in a potentially dangerous home.
It’s worth having a yearly roof inspection carried out by a professional roofing company, so doing this in the spring or summer is a good idea when the weather is good so that repairs can be carried out quickly without having to wait for rain to pass. If you need more advice about when and how to book, put a quick call in to Next Wave Roofing.
How to Spot a Leak
Spotting a leak can be tricky, especially if you’re not a trained professional, but there are a few tell-tale signs you may have a water leak (before your morning coffee is ruined!).
Things to look out for include:
- Brown water spots on ceilings or walls
- Peeling wallpaper
- Pools of water (however big or small) that cannot be explained
- Mold growing unexpectedly, especially in corners
- Shingles falling from your roofing
- The sound of dripping somewhere in your house
Fixing the Leak
If you can see a drip — which usually means the leak is generally bad — it does mean it can be easier to identify the source and potentially fix it.
The first thing to do when you spot a leak is to shut off the main water. If your drip stops, this indicates that the plumbing is at fault and may be fairly simple to fix by replacing the offending piece of plumbing. If this is not the case, it could indicate damage to the roof (the most likely culprit) or to another area of your house, such as walls or windows. At this point, it’s time to call in a professional.
