If you have a significant water leak in your home, it can result in significant property damage as well as hundreds of dollars in utility costs and repair expenses. Some water leaks are incredibly easy to detect, but unfortunately, other leaks are far more subtle because they are hidden behind the walls or underneath the floor. Keep reading to learn a few signs that your home may have a hidden water leak.

Damaged Walls

You may have a leak behind one of your walls if you notice dark stains, blistering, or peeling wallpaper or paint. Wallpaper can be damaged by extreme fluctuations in humidity levels, but as a general rule, these problems will not be something you need to worry about just from the steam from a shower.

Damaged Floors

In the bathroom and kitchen, the floors are usually designed to stand up against a decent amount of water. With that being said, day-to-day spills and tracks of water should not result in the floor staining, buckling, or cracking. However, if you notice that the floor is becoming soft or spongy, this may mean that there is a pipe that has started leaking underneath the floor.

Damaged Ceilings

If your bathroom is on an upper level, you will want to check the ceiling directly beneath that room. A little water on the floor from your kid splishing and splashing while taking a bath or forgetting to put down a towel or bathmat when you step out of the shower is not going to be enough to cause problems. However, if there is a water leak that has not been treated, you may notice brown stains or warping on your ceiling.

Development of Mold or Mildew

Damp conditions are notorious for the development of mold and mildew. If your bathroom or kitchen has a water leak, there is a very high chance that there is going to mold and mildew there as well. You may see the growth itself if it is extremely moist, or you may smell a musty odor coming from the space. Mold can be very dangerous to your health, with some health issues being permanent. Therefore, it is imperative to act quickly.

If you have noticed any of the aforementioned signs in your home, there is a good chance that you are dealing with a hidden water leak. For more information, get in touch with a residential plumbing contractor in your area.

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