Detect and Repair Hidden Plumbing Leaks with These Helpful Tips

Water leaks can be a dangerous hazard in your home. It can infiltrate dry wall and other building materials, creating an ideal space for mold and mildew growth. Leaks can also drive up your water and energy bills. As such, it’s important to quickly detect and repair hidden plumbing leaks to keep your home safe and healthy.

• Investigate your home from top to bottom for any signs of a water leak. You may find a strange puddle of water on your basement floor, or you may see drip marks on a wall.
• Test the drains in your home. Drain leaks allow water to escape around the tub and shower pan connection. Plug the drain with a rag or test plug, and then fill the tub or shower pan with water.
• Mark the water level and come back in an hour. If the water’s been drained, you’ve found your leak source.
• You should also check the floor joists underneath the toilet flange. If this is leaking, waste water will drip down the pipe before transferring to the drywall and joists below.
• Next, investigate the seals between your counter, faucet and sink. Water can leak through any small opening. While pipe drips are often easy to spot, the source of odd puddles are not. Spray water around the edge of your sink and faucet to see if water comes through.
• Make sure your tub and shower are properly caulked and grouted. Caulk keeps water from penetrating into the wall, while grout keeps water from infiltrating tile work.

If you need help repairing hidden plumbing leaks in your home, contact Rinaldi’s Air Conditioning Service. We provide A/C, refrigeration, plumbing and energy solutions in Orlando and the surrounding communities.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Orlando, Florida and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about plumbing leaks and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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