4 Signs There's a Leaky Pipe in Your Wall

Although we love the water here in Florida, a water leak is never fun – and they can be much more difficult to identify than we might typically think, subtly causing damage in our home or business while we're unaware. However, there are some telltale signs of leaking that you can keep an eye on to avoid missing a leak and having it grow into a bigger problem. If your water bill is higher than normal or you have reduced water pressure, that water is being accounted for somewhere, and it could be a leaky pipe in the wall! Peeling or blistering on paint or wallpaper, as well as mold forming on the walls, are other signs that some type of leak could be lurking in the shadows. If you stay vigilant for these signs, you'll identify potential problems sooner, and sooner is better when it comes to a leak!

1. Your Water Bill Is Higher Than Normal

A higher-than-normal water bill can show that something abnormal is going on with your water usage, and that's often a leak somewhere in the wall. Some common causes of high water bills include:

• Leaking toilets
• Constantly running toilets
• Dripping faucets
• Leaking hoses
• Dripping hose spigots

Many of these causes can be hard to identify as they don't always make a large amount of noise or visual indication, but with the tip-off from a high watering bill, a keen eye or ear should be able to find them once you go looking.

2. Reduced Water Pressure

If you're beginning to notice that it's taking much longer to fill the sink or tub, or that your dishwasher or washing machine cycles are taking much longer, that can be reduced water pressure often caused by a leaky pipe. If you notice one fixture with the issue, check others to see if the reduced water pressure is universal or isolated. If it's isolated, that indicates a problem with the fixture itself, but if it's universal, that could be a broader leaking issue.

3. Peeling Wallpaper or Blistering Paint

While you may be writing off the peeling wallpaper as being caused by aging wallpaper or something else, consider that it could be a sign of a leaky pipe in the wall. Water will cause peeling wallpaper from moisture weakening the adhesive seal that keeps the wallpaper on the wall, and you may also start to see staining. The same goes for blistering paint on the wall – excess moisture will cause blistering or bubbling in the paint that starts to chip off. These signs can often be ignored for a time as just needing general repair or replacement without thinking there's a bigger issue behind it. The longer a leak is left to its own devices, the more severe the damage will become.

4. Mold Forming on Your Walls

Perhaps one of the most obvious and easily noticed signs of a leak, mold forming on your walls is a surefire indication that something has gone awry. A water leak creates the perfect humid environment for mold to thrive. Mold can grow on almost every surface, including wallpaper, and spread from there if not tended to. You may also begin to smell a musty or damp odor in the room mold is forming, so if something starts to smell off, don't ignore it!

Think you may have a leaky pipe? We can help. Call us today to get a quote for leak detection or repair services!

Whether you've identified a leaky pipe that needs repair or you still need to locate the issue, Curtis Plumbing can help! We offer non-intrusive leak detection services so that we can determine if there's a leak and the source. Our professionals can also fix the issue for you, whether it's a faucet repair, toilet repair, or something else! We proudly provide property owners in Riverview, Brandon, Valrico, and nearby communities in Florida with honest and high-quality plumbing services. Call us today to get a quote at (813) 672-4111!