According to the EPA, about 10% of home leaks waste 90 gallons or more daily. Most people don't know this, and it leads to massive water wastage. It's important to take care of the leak as soon as you identify it. Here are some things you may not have known about plumbing leaks.

1. Leaks Can Occur Out of Sight

Not every plumbing leak is visible in plain sight; some are very difficult to identify. In fact, you can stay with a leak in your home for a long time without noticing the signs, especially if you are not suspecting anything. This is what usually happens if a leak occurs in areas of your home that you don't usually access. These types of leaks occur above ceilings, behind walls, underneath the home, and under your floors. Because they can go undetected for a long time, they may cause some serious water damage. It's best to find a reliable plumber if you start detecting a musty odor in your home or if there is mold or mildew growth. Other signs of hidden leaks include damaged wall paint, staining on floors, and high water bills.

2. Most Leaks Have an Easy Fix

You must never delay getting a plumbing leak fixed because you think it will cost you lots of money. The majority of leaks are quite easy to fix. Dripping faucets, worn-out toilet flappers, and faulty valves are the most common leaks you will see in homes. Plumbers deal with these every day, and they are considered minor repairs. This means they usually charge small amounts of money to fix, and they won't spend a lot of time in your home. If you see any of these leaks, you should look for the nearest plumber to avoid water damage and stop losing water unnecessarily.

3. Leaks Can Threaten the Structural Integrity of Your Home

Leaks commonly cause water damage to your ceilings, walls, and flooring. However, there are others that will cause damage to the foundation of your home. This is what happens with slab leaks. As the leak gets worse, it can start creating cracks in your foundation. Some will even cause your foundation to shift. As you must imagine, that's bad news for your home's structural integrity. As such, you should get any leaks fixed as soon as possible.

If there is an active leak in your home and you can't fix it, shut off the main water supply and find a plumber. In the meantime, you should clean up all the water as soon as possible. This will help avoid mold and mildew growth. Get in touch with us today here at Winchester Plumbing & Gas Services Inc if you have spotted a leak in your home.