Leaky Pipes are more common than you may think

11/15/2021 (Permalink)

Pipe leaks are a common thing to happen in any home. They can cause a lot of damage if not taken care of quickly. Luckily, most of these types of leaks can be found quickly.

Water damage from this type of leak within the walls ranges from small, localized stains and soft spots to large areas of soft wood and problems with flooring, tile, and caulking around the leaking pipe. Water damage of this type can be found around toilets, tubs, and sinks, and is caused by the water pipes or the drainage pipes.

Signs to look for in Pipe Leaks:

Depending on where the pipe leak is coming from, there can be a few different signs of water damage that can indicate where the leak is and how severe it is. The wood in the cabinet under the bathroom or kitchen sink is a usual place to find some water damage if there is a leak in the drainage pipe. If there is any softness, there is a leaky pipe under your sink.

The drain in your tub is a bit of a different story since the drainpipe is not easily exposed. A good place to start is the other side of the wall that the tub is on. This wall and the floor around it may seem soft and damp after a shower. This usually means that the water is draining improperly and seeping into the wood, drywall, and flooring around the tub.

Does it take long for water damage to start appearing?

Water damage from burst pipes can be spotted almost instantly in most cases. In the instance of a sink drain leaking, you will see the wood softening and discoloring in the cabinet under the bathroom or kitchen countertop after a few hours of dripping. The signs show right away, but unless you look for them regularly, you may not catch it until later.

You will be able to find a tub drain leak right away in some cases. However, in most cases, it could take months to a year to notice any water damage. The wood and insulation in the wall will soak up most of the water and soften for a while before the drywall and paint begin to show signs of water damage.

What to do to fix a pipe leak

Pipe leaks from under the sink are easy to repair. This repair usually just entails replacing the pipe under the sink. In some fringe cases, the pipe is fine, and the rubber seals are the only thing that needs to be replaced.

Pipe leaks from the tub drain are much more complicated to repair. Most of the time, they require a professional team to take care of the repair. With all the different types of materials involved, the skill needed to do the repair goes up significantly.