8 Symptoms that Your Water Main is Leaking
Your water main brings clean water into your home from your city’s public water supply. This main line runs underground, and if a crack or leak occurs in this main line, it can be difficult to identify immediately. These lines run at least 3 feet below ground, which means unless you know what you’re looking for, you won’t find the problem unless you dig deep to view the line. If you’re worried you might have a leak in your main line, we’ve put together this list of 8 symptoms that your water main is leaking.
1.
Water Bill Increasing
A top symptom of a water main leaking is the increase in
your monthly water bill. Unless you’ve had visitors staying in your home or
you’ve started doing more laundry or taking more showers, you should typically
see the same range of charges each month on your bill. If that amount has
increased, especially if it’s by a substantial amount, you should contact your
local friendly plumber to help detect if your main line is leaking.
2.
Mold and Mildew
If a leak in your water main is small, the water will
slowly seep from the pipe, and that water can soak into drywall, wood, or
plaster in your home. When moisture like this accumulates in one area, mildew
can develop as well as mold spores. You may be able to see obvious signs of a
water leak which include bubbling wall paint, discolored spots on ceilings or
walls, or damp floors or trim. Contact your professional plumbing company for
help.
3.
Odd Smells
Mold and mildew have a distinct smell, and it can hide
under floors or behind walls. Because of this, it’s important to pay attention
if you notice any strange smells in your Sandy home. It’s also important to
keep an eye on the water coming from your faucets, because if the main line is
broken, contaminants could be entering your home’s water supply. If your drains
are clogged, a plumber can help you with drain cleaning. But, if the water
coming from your taps start to smell odd, contact a plumber immediately to
investigate.
4.
Changing Water Color
As we mentioned above, if you have main line water leak,
contaminants can enter the water that comes into your home through your
plumbing. When the color of the water coming from your taps is a murky yellow
or brown, or there’s debris that’s visible, these are indicators that you need
a plumber immediately. A trustworthy plumber can identify the leak and help to
advise you whether you need a water line flush or a line repair.
5.
Foundation Cracks
If your water main is leaking, water can begin to seep
into the porous materials that form your home’s foundation. This can cause your
foundation to crack, eventually leading to crumbling, which could be dangerous
and expensive. If you see your foundation of your home has cracks or splits in
the concrete, contact an emergency plumber as soon as possible to correct the
issues before this causes structural problems and can cause expensive damages
to your house.
6.
Low Water Pressure
Occasionally you may notice dips in your water pressure
if you’re doing laundry or someone is showering at the same time you’re running
your faucet in your home. But, if you notice you’ve lost water pressure overall
in your home, even when no one else is using a water source at the same time,
you likely have a water main leak. A skilled plumbing professional can help you
stop the leak quickly and examine your water main to determine if a leak is the
cause.
7.
Puddling Water
One of the easiest ways to see if you have a plumbing leak is when you
find dampness or puddles of water in or around your home. If you find the same
areas continuing to show wetness such as around your sinks, water heater,
washing machine, or outside of your home, without an explanation, it’s a sure
sign your water line has a crack in it, and you should call your Sandy
Plumber immediately.
8.
Recurring Clogs
The drains in your home can tend to clog over time, due
to the mineral build up and drain debris. This is typical and can require drain
cleaning to keep the lines running clear. But if you’re finding your drains in
your home clogging constantly, even after you’ve cleaned the drains thoroughly,
it can be a sign that water is leaking somewhere inside your home. Contact your
plumber for drain cleaning immediately.
One option to help you as you investigate whether you
have a water leak is to contact your local water company and request that they
turn off the water at the curb valve outside your home. They may send an
emergency team to assist you, or they might give you instructions on how you
can shut off the water for your home. This will give you time to assess a few
things.
If you’d rather seek professional help after you’ve noticed any of the
above symptoms or indications of a water main break at your home, rest assured
that your local trustworthy plumber can also help you. The expert plumbers at 1st American Plumbing, Heating & Air
can not only help you identify the leak, but they can help you repair the leak
as quickly and as efficiently as possible. Contact 1st American Plumbing, Heating & Air at (801) 477-5818.
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