A short-term, one-off leak can quickly escalate into a long-term issue and in the worst case scenarios, properties need to be rebuilt and sometimes even demolished to replace the rotten materials. Indoor areas can also be badly damaged by leaks and toxic mould can quickly grow to the point that the home will need to be evacuated to make it safe again.

Leaks can destroy everything in their path, from the building itself through to personal belongings in the property such as furniture. Expert plumbing in Perth or any other big city in the world can be organised by finding a reputable company online and there are all kinds of problems that can cause a leak, from faulty plumbing work to a broken boiler or damaged pipework.

Prevention Tips

Preventing water leaks before they happen is the best way to avoid damage to a property from a water leak and there are a few tell-tale signs that homeowners should look out for when inspecting their property for problems such as water on the walls or the floor.

Let’s take a look at some of the things that professional commercial plumbers in Perth, London, Seattle and other major cities around the world will do when trying to prevent leaks:

• Check underneath the sinks for obvious signs of a leak
• Look out for high spikes in the water bill that cannot be explained
• Look at all pipes for signs of leaks and water puddles
• Replace rubber hoses to appliances like washing machines with steel pipes
• Drain the water heater once a year, as this will flush out sediment that can build up and cause leaks
• Look out for spots of mould, as this is a warning sign that the area is too damp

Top Tip: Get a professional plumber in to assess the entire building and to look at the pipework to see if anything needs to be upgraded or changed and this is especially important to do in older buildings.

Walls

While many people assume that looking at their pipework, behind the toilet and underneath sinks are the best places to spot a leak, there is another part of a home that can be looked at to find a leak and that is the walls. If there is a cellar, check to see if there is any excess damp coming off the walls and always check the rooms next to a shower or bath to see if there are any obvious signs of damp on the walls.

Here is a rundown of the top places to look out for a leak that companies like Peter Stannard Plumbing & Gas will be able to help with:

• Behind the toilets
• Underneath sinks
• Around dishwashers and washing machines

Another good way to check for a leak is to read the water metre and avoid running any water for two hours, then check it again to see if it has moved but remember that preventing leaks by using professional plumbers is the best way to avoid a problem from happening in the first place.