How to Find a House Leak

Although water leaks often show clearly visible signs such as stains, mold, or rot, locating the source of the leak can often prove to be a complicated process. Follow these tips to give yourself a better chance of finding your leak.

1.    Check Your Roof

If you have a leak, one possible culprit is your roof. By inspecting the underside of your roof from inside your attic, you can often locate where the water is coming from. To do a thorough check, you may want to get someone to run water over your roof using a garden hose. With water flowing over each part of the surface, you will be able to tell whether or not your roof is compromised.

2.    Test Suspected Areas

Any part of your house that you think may be susceptible to leaks can be subjected to a simple test. Run water over the area — starting at the bottom and moving up – and you will be able to see whether or not the seal keeps the water out.

3.    Check the plumbing

If you have a leak and you think it may be the piping, it is often enough to inspect the pipes yourself simply. With water running, look along the plumbing while paying particular attention to places where the pipe segments connect, such as valves and joints. Similarly, inspect the floors around toilets, bathtubs, and sinks. If you notice areas that are warped or otherwise compromised it could indicate a water leak. Peeling paint or wallpaper are also signs that moisture is present. Lastly, if you have a basement, check the piping there too. Any mold, rotten wood, or mildew found near your plumbing means an excess of water in that area.

4.    Check Your HVAC

If you find excess water in your home it is possible that it its source is improperly insulated HVAC ductwork. Where insulation is poor, water can accumulate and lead to rotting of adjacent wood.

Locating a water leak in your home can be a simple do-it-yourself job or a complicated investigation that ultimately requires outside help. The important thing for the health of your home is to address the problem as soon as possible. If you are unable to locate the source of your leak, it may be time to call a professional. If you need help, contact K & B Home Remodelers. Our experienced plumbers will quickly diagnose and fix any leak that you may have before the problem worsens.