Plumbing Leaks Are Common
While there is no truth to the rumor that Lee County officials are considering renaming it Leak County, the Fort Myers climate and geography make plumbing leaks a common occurrence. In fact, you’ve probably been distracted by the drip-drip-drip of a leaky faucet as you tried to work or sleep. But did you know that leaks can happen anywhere along your plumbing line – faucets, taps, valves, and pipes? Much of this infrastructure is hidden in walls or underground, wasting water and wreaking destruction for months before they are detected.
Smart homeowners will be on the lookout for the telltale signs of a plumbing leak. Be sure to inspect the areas of your home most susceptible to leaks and call Service Minds Benjamin Franklin Plumbing at the first sign of trouble:
Slab Leaks: Occurring beneath your home’s concrete foundation, these gushers are notoriously stealthy. They can be caused by improper installation, defective drainage that weakens plumbing components, acidic or alkaline water that erodes the pipe, or the natural degradation of older copper pipes over time. Since the happen under the home, slab leaks are hard to find. They can pump hundreds of gallons of water into the soil, where it can rot the home’s foundation, cause the ground to swell and shift, and invite unhealthy mold into your home.
Pool Leaks: Also hard to detect and often mistaken for water lost through evaporation, pool leaks can allow pumps and other components to overheat, dry out, and otherwise lose structural integrity. Pay attention to how quickly your pool’s water level drops. If it seems excessive given temperature and humidity levels, you should be concerned. If you notice cracks in the pool’s concrete surface where water might escape or have difficulty starting the pool’s circulation system, it’s time to call us. Discovered in time, pool leaks can be repaired before expensive plumbing, electrical, and hydraulic systems must be replaced.
Other Common Leaks: Leaks can occur anywhere there is a feed or drainage line. Look and listen for:
- Groaning from pipes when no water is turned on
- Pools of standing water inside your home or in the yard
- Moisture or warm spots in carpets without an apparent cause
- A decrease in water pressure throughout the home
- Frequent cycling of water heaters to compensate for water loss
- Water stains on floors, ceilings, or walls
- Peeling wallpaper or interior paint
- Unexplained sewage-like odors
- Sudden increase in your water bills
Stop the Leak before Things Turn Bleak
Even small leaks can cause devastating damage if left unrepaired, leading to thousands of dollars in repair and restoration costs. Call Service Minds Benjamin Franklin as soon as you suspect a leak. We have the expertise and the tools to quickly find the source of any leak and fix it before it can cause additional damage to your home’s structure, your family’s health, and your finances.
One of the primary dangers of persistent leaks is structural damage to your home. Water is incredibly erosive, capable of weakening wood framing, drywall, flooring, and even foundational elements over time. As it saturates building materials, the water causes rot, mold growth, and loss of structural integrity. This can lead to the failure of load-bearing elements like joists, studs, and supports, creating hazardous conditions and requiring expensive repairs or replacement.
Leaks also create the damp, humid conditions ideal for toxic mold growth within wall cavities, under flooring, and behind tiling. Mold propagates quickly in these hidden areas, filling the air with spores that can exacerbate asthma and allergies and cause other respiratory issues. Severe mold infestations make homes unlivable and dramatically reduce property values, as costly remediation is required before the home is safe to occupy again.
Finally, any water leak near electrical systems creates a fire and shock hazards. Wet wiring, appliances, and outlets are a recipe for short circuits, arcing, and potential electrocution. This danger is just one more reason not to try repairing anything more complex than a leaky faucet as a DIY project. Play it safe by hiring Service Minds Benjamin Franklin Plumbing’s experts.
When even a simple drip under the sink or leak behind the walls can lead to such catastrophic consequences, the choice is clear:
- We use specialized leak detection equipment like acoustic detectors that amplify the sound of running water, thermal imaging cameras that can see temperature variations indicating leaks behind walls, and electronic detectors that send signals through pipes to pinpoint moisture sources. DIYers simply don’t have these high-tech tools.
- Our experienced plumbing technicians undergo extensive training to properly operate this equipment and interpret the data it provides. Without this specialized knowledge, homeowners may misread results or be unable to locate leak sources accurately.
- We understand the complexities and design of residential plumbing systems and can trace leaks through walls, floors, and foundations. With this expertise we can diagnose issues that seem straightforward but have underlying complicated causes.
- Our work is As a locally owned and operated shop, Service Minds Benjamin Franklin stands behind our service. If you’re not happy, we’re not happy, and we’ll make it right.
Don’t let plumbing leaks gain the upper hand over your home and budget. Call Service Minds Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, the Punctual Plumber, at the first sign of trouble.
Our famous on-time guarantee ensures you’ll never be left waiting for us to arrive. If there’s any delay, it’s you we pay – $5 for every minute we’re late for your service call, up to $300.
