Do you fancy yourself as a bit of a sleuth? An increase in your water bill is the first indication that you may have a mystery to solve. Get in touch with your inner Sherlock Holmes, Gibbs or Hetty and start looking for clues to solve the mystery of the Increasing Water Bill. There are a few simple things you can do that can save you money and prevent costly damage and repairs.
Hidden leaks aren’t as obvious as a dripping tap and the noisy ones can keep you awake for hours. You can have hidden leaks under floors, in your walls, in your ceilings or in your garden. Some reports estimate that around 10% of homes have undetected leaks quietly causing damage.
Here are a few things to be aware of:
Look
A visual clue to hidden leaks is the appearance of discoloration and mould. In areas that shouldn’t ordinarily be wet, mould is a sure sign of a water leak. Similarly, leaks can discolour walls and ceilings, so it’s a good idea inspect your ceilings, floors and walls for the unmistakable colour changes that could be pointing out a hidden leak.
Listen
Tune your ears into unusual sounds such as hissing or dripping sounds. Listen carefully around different parts of your home, covering the more obvious areas like around your toilets, taps and shower heads, but also along walls.
Smell
Leaks may be concealed from the eye, but damp odours can be pretty unmistakable. Don’t ignore damp and musty smells from floors or walls, this is a sign of a hidden leak under the floor or behind the wall.
Feel
If you’re walking around in your home and notice that parts of your floors are a little bouncy or spongy, you might be onto a hidden leak. In bathrooms, wall or floor tiles that are loose can be due to water damage to the adhesive. Identifying these signs as early as possible is important as they threaten the strength and integrity of the flooring and walls. Also keep an eye out for spongy, water logged areas in the garden.
If you are concerned that you may have a water leak, call the professional team at Plumbspec today and our team of water detectives will help you solve the mystery.
