The main water line that runs from the public supply to your home serves as your main water source. Over time, the main plumbing line can develop leaks that are often hidden in the ground or behind walls. Once a leak occurs, you face potential issues such as water-related property damage. Or, a significant leak could cause you to lose the water supply to your home that you use for drinking and bathing.
Hidden water leaks can also become quite expensive, since your meter may still be registering usage that you never even see. Watching out for these 11 signs of a main water line leak helps you take action fast before significant damage has a chance to develop.
1. Seeing a Sudden Spike in Your Water Bills
After living in your home for a while, you’ll have a good idea of what the average water bill should cost. Natural fluctuations occur during periods of high usage, such as having houseguests or running the sprinklers in the summer. However, you’ll need to worry if you can’t narrow down a reason for higher bills.
Tip: You no longer have to manually calculate water usage by reading the meter. Most local utility companies offer online portals that allow you to monitor your usage over time. If you notice a significant spike in your usage, then our plumbers can help you identify the reason why.
2. Sensing a Drop In Water Pressure Across the Entire House
When you call a plumber, they’ll often ask if you have a loss of water pressure in just one fixture or all of the ones in your house. If it’s just one fixture, then it may be a faulty line that directly runs to the shower, toilet or sink. Whole-house pressure issues mean that less water may be entering the system from the main line.
3. Noticing Soggy Spots or Pools of Water in the Yard
The water from a leak naturally needs to go somewhere, and main water lines tend to flow out into the lawn. Look for soggy spots near the water meter, driveway or foundation where you wouldn’t typically see moisture. Seeing pools of water where you don’t typically have drainage issues is a sign that there could be a leak happening.
4. Finding Unusually Green or Fast-Growing Grass
Needing to pull out the mower more often might mean more than just that your lawn care strategies are working. Many homeowners miss this sign due to efforts to ramp up landscaping tactics. Unfortunately, seeing lush grass growth isn’t always a cause for celebration. The hidden water leak could be serving as an underground source of irrigation, especially if it’s most noticeable in only a specific area.
5. Dealing With Discolored or Dirty Water
Brown, rusty or yellow water should always be cause for concern. If dirt, rust or other contaminants are in the water, then your health could also be at risk. Always consult a plumber for dirty water that doesn’t clear quickly to identify the root of the problem.
6. Detecting Mildew, Mold or Musty Odors
Hidden plumbing leaks can occur beneath floors and behind walls. When they do, moisture can build up and create the ideal environment for mold and mildew growth.
7. Discovering Cracks In the Ceiling or Walls
Long-term water saturation can cause changes in the ground that lead to the settling and shifting of your home’s foundation. Seeing cracks in the walls indicates that a hidden leak could be causing foundation issues.
8. Hearing Strange Bubbling or Hissing Noises From the Fixtures
A leak in the main line can allow air into the plumbing system. You might hear this air escape when you turn on the faucet or use the toilet. Requesting a water pressure check and pipe inspection from our plumbers helps you stop your house from sounding haunted.
9. Seeing the Water Meter Running When the Water Is Off
You can check for leaks using the meter by first turning off all water-using appliances. Next, go to the meter to identify the leak indicator. This is usually a triangle or asterisk.
Take note of the current position and reading. Then, wait a few minutes for the water to settle down. If you notice the indicator moving after waiting, then it is likely that a leak exists somewhere along the system.
10. Cleaning Puddles or Water Inside the Home
Suspicious puddles with no clear source could be linked to a leak. Usually, these occur in sinks, basements and near slabs where you wouldn’t be spilling water on your own.
11. Struggling With an Unexplained Drop in Water Quality
No one should ever find their water distasteful. Bad smells, staining and metallic tastes are common complaints we hear from homeowners with water leaks.
What Causes a Main Water Line to Break?
Main water lines can break from simply being old or made from a less durable type of material. Tree roots can grow into lines and cause them to break, and shifting soil can also contribute to the problem.
Know How to Confirm You Have a Leak
Doing a little detective work can help you identify a possible leak, but you’ll need one of our professional plumbers to confirm the problem. We have special equipment that can detect where a leak is occurring to provide precise repairs. We’ll also help you identify the cause to plan a repair that prevents future problems.
What to Do If You Suspect a Leak
Following these steps helps you to halt damage from major water leaks.
•Shut off the water at the main valve
•Contact our punctual plumbers for prompt action
•Begin the process of drying out building materials
•Find an alternate water source until the leak is repaired
Determine When to Replace Vs. Repair a Water Line
Our professionals will help you choose between a water line repair vs replacement once we diagnose the source of the leak. Repairing a damaged line might make sense for your budget, but replacements can offer you greater longevity in preventing the problem.
Trenchless repairs are among our go-to options for quickly and efficiently addressing mainline leaks. Our technicians can use special techniques to repair or replace pipes through the existing system while avoiding the need for excavation. This allows you to save money and time on fixing mainline plumbing leaks.
Prevent Future Water Leaks
Once the main line is fixed, we’ll recommend strategies to keep the system in working order. Regular pipe inspections can identify tree roots and other problems that can cause leaks. Smart water sensors are another strategy for catching leaks early.
Need Water Line Repair In Clearwater, FL?
As the name of our community suggests, everyone should have access to clear, sparkling water. Taking the signs of hidden water leaks seriously gives you peace of mind that your next glass of water runs smoothly out of the faucet with no discolorations.
If you notice any of these signs, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Clearwater, FL provides water line repair and replacement services that restores your home’s safe and hygienic water source. Reach out to us with your concerns, and our punctual plumbers will be on their way to check for leaks and offer their professional recommendations for repairs.