Here are a few tips to help you find leaks in your home:
Did you know that plumbing leaks can increase the presence of pests in your home? It may sound odd, but it’s absolutely true. How is that possible? Think about what insects, bugs, and rodents need to survive. Aside from food (which there’s always plenty of in our homes), they need water. If there is a readily available water source–courtesy of your leaking pipes–bugs and rodents will be far more likely to make your home their habitat.
If you want to prevent household pests from setting up camp in your house, it’s important to deal with any leaks and drips in your plumbing.
Finding Leaks
Finding leaks in your plumbing isn’t always easy. Sometimes you can spot water droplets or a trickle of water leaking out of your faucets, but most of the time, the leaks will be small enough that they’re hard to notice.
Check for water drops — Even a few small drops can be enough to invite pests into your home. Keep an eye on your bathroom, kitchen, and washrooms to ensure there are no water droplets on the floor, soaking into your carpet, or dripping between your tiles.
Check the tub –– If you have a tub, check the caulking connecting it to the wall. If the caulking is damaged, water that splashes from the tub may trickle down the wall and leak onto the floor.
Look up — Not all leaks will be visible on your floor, but you may have to look up. If you have a second story bathroom, shower, or toilet, check the ceiling beneath the pipes. Any bowing, sagging, or chipping of the paint/texture could be a sign of leakage.
Look for stains — Not all leaks are consistent drips or trickles. Some are only occasional problems. Look for stains around your faucets, shower heads, drains, and on the floor. Water stains could indicate a leak.
Check the tiles — The grout between your tiles isn’t just for appearances’ sake, but it’s also there to prevent water leaking between the tiles and soaking into the wall. Check for signs of damaged, decayed, or chipped grout. If you find any, repair ASAP.
Test the sink rim — Your kitchen sink should be properly sealed where it meets the counter. Use a sponge to drip water on the counter around the sink, and check underneath the sink to see if the water is leaking through. If so, the caulking/sealant is damaged.
All of these tests will help you to determine if there are leaks in your home that could be inviting pests and rodents to move in. What do you do if you don’t see any visible leaks? Give Ford’s Plumbing a call and let us do an inspection for you. We’ll make sure your home is leak-free and as pest-proof as possible!
