A leak in the home is not something you want to spend any amount of time sitting on. The sooner that you’re able to treat it, the better that you might be able to prevent some costly damage. These leaks can originate from a few different places, so here, we’re going to look at where you should look first so you know which professional is going to be best suited to help you.
Check Your Appliances
If you’re finding puddles on the floor in the kitchen or other areas where you have appliances that use water, that should be the first place that you check. Your washing machine can leak, as can your dryer, refrigerator, boiler, and the like. Some appliances have relatively slow leaks, so you might not notice anything until you see a puddle underneath them. This at least makes the source easy to find. Try troubleshooting the appliance’s manual if you can, first, as they may explain common issues you could correct yourself, then get in touch with the manufacturer if that doesn’t solve it.
Inspect The Roof
If the leak is coming from above, down the walls or through the ceiling, then, nine times out of ten, it’s going to be a problem with your roofing. Damaged or missing tiles, cracked flashing, blocked valleys, and deteriorated roofing materials can allow rainwater to enter the property. Start by looking for water stains, discoloured patches, or damp spots in the loft or attic, then inspect the exterior or work with a roofing team that can do it safely for you. The sooner that you’re able to find and fix the source of a roof leak, the better your chances of stopping it from spreading.
Check Around Plumbing Fixtures
If the leak isn’t as easy to find as with those two examples, then your next step is to look beneath sinks and around fixtures like your toilets, bathtub, and showers. Over time, seals, joints, and pipe connections can loosen or deteriorate, allowing water to escape, and even a slow drip can do a lot of damage in just a little time. Look for damp cabinets, puddles, water stains, or signs of mould growth. If you spot those signs, then it might be time to call in the help of a plumber.
Check Out The Guttters
Leaks are not always caused by internal plumbing. Blocked gutters and poor drainage can force rainwater to overflow and penetrate walls, roofs, and foundations. Take a look at your gutters to see if they’re full of leaves, moss, or other debris that can get in the way of normal water flow and, when it’s raining, look to see if the rain spills over the sides rather than draining properly. Cleaning your gutters might be enough, but in some cases, you may need a replacement if that doesn’t help.
If none of the above seems to be the source of the leak, or you simply can’t find it, then it might be a problem deeper in, such as within the pipes in the walls. If that’s the case, a plumber is typically your best bet.
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