Leaking water brings a lot of stress into your home. You have to schedule repairs, pay for the repairs, and ensure you have the time to get those repairs done. While all of these elements may seem like a hassle, simply ignoring the problem is not an ideal solution. Ignoring or avoiding a plumbing leak can lead to even more stress, higher repair costs, and potential health risks. Even something small can quickly escalate into a much bigger problem for your household.
Home Damage
A plumbing leak could lead to major damage in your home. Even a leak in a spot that’s seemingly protected like a sink or bathtub could lead to major problems down the line. Plumbing leaks from pipes could create damage in floors and walls. Materials will start to weaken, and the leak could spread to different areas of the house.
For example, if you have leaks reach any carpeted areas of your home, then the carpets may get ruined and need replacement. Any layers of floors underneath the carpet could suffer from damage as well. This includes subflooring, hardwood flooring, and rafters if the floor in on an upper level of the house.
In the walls, a plumbing leak could soak into insulation and the sheet rock or wood used in the home. This can lead to insulation issues and seriously weaken the strength of the walls. A leak that persists over a long period of time may eventually create rot in the wood and a need for replacement.
After the discovery of wall or floor damage, you would need to hire a contractor on top of a plumber to evaluate the damage. The contractor would need to find out the extent of the damage and determine the costs to repair all the issues. Water leaks could find their way around parts of your home that you never expected. For example, the origin spot of a leak could be on the opposite end of a house, but leaks and moisture could travel through walls and areas you never expected.
Fixing a leak as soon as possible can help you avoid these issues and ensure the leak stops from the source. During leak repairs, a plumber will make sure excess moisture does not leak out and that all of the leaks are properly taken care of.
The Formation of Mold
Not only may you have damages to your Denver, CO home, but you also have to worry about the formation of mold. When water is not in a controlled environment, mold can quickly form and create major issues in a house. Not only can mold form from ignored water leaks, but the mold can also grow on its own and create an even bigger problem for your household.
Many different types of mold can form in a house and create issues for homeowners. When mold forms on wood structures, flooring, or walls, it can create permanent damage in a house. When damage occurs in specific areas, you may need to completely replace elements that the mold cannot be removed from.
Water leaks that occur for a long time could lead to the formation of stachybotrys chartarum. Also known as black mold, this type of mold can create health problems, especially if you breathe in the mold for an extended period of time.
Some early signs of mold damage includes a stuffy nose, an itchy throat, or a sore throat. If you continue to ignore plumbing leaks, then the symptoms could get worse, leading to possible breathing problems or infections. Mold can grow in many places, and you do not want to deal with a major cleanup when you can simply repair a leaky pipe in the first place.
Wear and Tear on Water Fixtures
When a plumbing leak occurs in your home, the water often runs continuously. Many home elements are simply not built to run this long with a constant flow of water. The end result will create a lot of wear and tear on fixtures in your home. For example, if you have a hot water leak that connects to a water source like a bathtub, dishwasher, or washing machine, then you will put a lot of wear and tear on your hot water tank.
The hot water tank will constantly have to refill so that the hot water replenishes. Not only will you see an increase in your electric bill, but the efficiency of a hot water tank will also decrease. Eventually, you will need to fix the plumbing leak and possibly replace your hot water tank at the same time.
The wear and tear could impact other fixtures as well. For example, a leaking dishwasher could lead to wear and tear on the appliance. The dishwasher may not work to its full capabilities and have to run harder to properly operate. Shower faucets, sink faucets, and other fixtures in your house could face the same impact from the leaks. With a quick plumbing repair of the initial leak, you can avoid the replacement of additional water fixtures in your home.
Unpleasant Odors
Ignoring a water leak can impact a lot of your senses, including your sense of smell. Leaking water, water damage, and the formation of mold can all lead to nasty odors throughout your home. Areas of the house may smell musty, while other locations may have a rotten smell, especially if water has been leaking for a while.
Due to the excess moisture, removing these odors from your house can present challenges, especially if the leak continues. The longer the leak goes on, the more the odors will linger in your home, eventually seeping into walls, clothes, and other items like blankets.
Fixing the leak before unpleasant odors occur is the best way to avoid them in the long run. If you already smell odors, then you may need professional cleaning services after the plumbing issues get repaired.
Rely on Professional Plumbing Services
Plumbers in the Denver, CO area will supply you with quick leak fixes at your home. Summit Heating & A/C has a dedicated team of professionals with years of experience dealing with leak detection. If you suspect a leak, then our plumbers can detect issues without any major structural damage to your home.
Along with plumbing repairs, we offer a wide range of other services. Heating services include furnace repairs, furnace installations, and annual services like furnace cleaning and maintenance. If you seek improved cooling, then consider a central air installation to provide cooling to the whole house. If you already have central air, then consider our maintenance and repair services to ensure your air conditioner continues to work properly. Other services we offer include electrical repairs and air purifier installations. Combine all of these services to completely transform your house for the better and help maintain these pieces of equipment for years to come. Contact us today to make an appointment!
