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When people think about plumbing leaks, they usually picture water dripping slowly onto the floor or gushing from broken pipes. They also assume that these leaks are completely visible. However, plumbers in Fort Worth, TX will tell you that, in reality, most plumbing leaks in homes are hidden and can go unnoticed for several days, weeks, and months until they notice the water damage.

You can save up on costly home repairs by identifying leaky pipes and getting them replaced or repaired immediately. It may also bring down your utility bill. To help you out, plumbers in Fort Worth, TX are going to share some tips to identify the signs of a hidden plumbing leak in your home. Read on to learn how you can do that:

• Damaged Flooring

One of the most common signs of a hidden leak will be in damaged flooring. If your laminate or hardwood flooring is starting to crack, warp, or buckle, there could be a hidden leak. You can also detect hidden leaks via stains appearing on your carpet. You might find the carpet spongy and wet in some places. The main issue with floor leaks is locating the source of the leak. The water may have traveled to that location from a broken pipe nearby or it could be coming from a pipe directly underneath the floor.

• Damaged Walls

The walls of your home will have a network of pipes hidden underneath them. If any of these pipes have a leak, there will be a stain or warp on the wall. Warps are created when the drywall behind the wall meets with water or moisture. The drywall will crack, distort, bend, and bow before it breaks into different pieces. If you have a plumbing leak behind a wall, our plumbers in Fort Worth, TX will identify and inspect the leak before repairing it. The repairs will include cutting out the damaged drywall, and then replacing or repairing the leaking fixture or pipe.

• Visible Rust, Mold, and Mildew

Plumbers in Fort Worth, TX state that the most noticeable sign of a hidden leak is identifying mold and mildew growth on your walls and near the floors. Whenever there is a hidden leak, there will be mold since this fungus thrives in damp and dark places. There are various types of molds that can form due to leaking water. No matter what type it is, you shouldn’t touch it.

You will also start to notice rust developing on metal fixtures that are exposed to moisture and water. If you notice rust appearing in different areas of your home, it is a sign of deterioration or it could be coming from a leak that needs to be addressed immediately. Mildew is another fungus that forms on the surface and is a white or thin gray film over moisture or water.

• Strong Smell of Decay

One of the most obvious signs that you have a hidden water leak is when you start noticing an earthy odor or musty smell in one area. Standing water, dampness, and moisture that doesn’t dry will start to affect the materials in your belongings, ceilings, walls, and floors, and give off that earthy smell. Excessive water and moisture cause wood to decay. Since most homes contain wooden floorings and are built of wooden beams, a strong smell of decay should tell you that there is a hidden leak.

Puddles of water hidden underneath your carpets will give off a foul and strong smell. If you let these water puddles sit unattended for extended periods, they will start giving off a foul smell. You can’t always rely on your eyes to spot hidden leaks. This is why you should use your other senses and get in touch with a plumber in Fort Worth, TX when you suspect a leak.

• Increased Pest Presence

It’s not a secret that pests are drawn towards moisture and water. So, if you start noticing an increased presence of insects like crickets, silverfish, earwigs, and mosquitoes in your home, you may have a hidden leak. Water also attracts rodents like rats and mice as they need it to thrive. When they have constant access to water in a crawl space, garage, closet, basement, or attic they will start breeding and setting up nests which can create serious problems. If you have started noticing an increase in pests in your home, you should get in touch with plumbers in Fort Worth, TX straight away.

• Strange Noises from Your Plumbing

You may have a hidden leak in your home if you start hearing unusual sounds coming from the plumbing. Sometimes, a hidden leak will create sounds, which will be amplified through the ventilation networks and plumbing systems in your floors and walls. These sounds can be a steady tapping caused by water dripping constantly. It could also be the sound of moving or rushing water flowing down the walls. Plumbers in Fort Worth, TX have already mentioned that you should use your senses when trying to identify a hidden leak.

• Uneven or Cracked Surfaces

Slab leaks take place when there is a leak under the concrete foundation of a house. They are extremely difficult to detect and can be a very destructive plumbing problem. Fortunately, plumbers in Fort Worth, TX have the equipment and knowledge to detect these types of hidden leaks. Here are some more signs that you have a slab leak:

• Presence of mold
• Warped flooring or damp carpets due to water damage
• The strong, unpleasant smell of decay, mildew or rancid, stagnant water
• Damage to the foundation, like shifts or cracks appearing and creating an uneven surface

Apart from slab leaks, another sign of a hidden leak could be identified in your yard. If there are patches of soggy, soft earth or uneven surfaces in your yard holding standing water, it could be a hidden leak.

Call the Trusted Plumbers at Benjamin Franklin

You shouldn’t ignore any of the signs of hidden leaks mentioned by plumbers in Fort Worth, TX. The last thing you want is to compromise the structural integrity of your home and ruin your belongings because of a hidden leak. Your monthly utility bills will also increase due to hidden leaks, and the damage caused by them can be extremely expensive to repair.

If you notice any of the signs of a hidden leak in your home, call Benjamin Franklin Fort Worth, the expert plumbers in Fort Worth, TX, at 817-983-7876 or visit their website today.