How to Spot a Plumbing Leak During the Winter
As temperatures drop and snow begins to fall, it's important to know your home's potential plumbing issues. Many homeowners don't realize that cold weather can actually exacerbate plumbing problems, leading to costly repairs. But how can you tell if you have a plumbing leak – or worse, a burst pipe – in your home during winter? Here are some signs to look out for.
Higher than Normal Water Bills
If you notice that your water bill has suddenly spiked without any changes to your usage habits, it could signify an undetected leak somewhere in your home. This is especially true if you have used less water than usual during the month the bill covers. Take this as a sign to check around the house for signs of a leak, or contact a plumber and have them conduct an inspection.
Strange Noises and Unusual Smells
Another sign of a plumbing issue is hearing strange noises from pipes in your home's walls or ceilings. These could sound like chirping, banging, or gurgling noises coming from inside the walls. Unusual smells from sinks and drains could indicate a plumbing issue like mold growth due to leaking pipes behind the walls.
Visible Damage Around Fixtures
When inspecting pipes and fixtures around your house for leakage, pay close attention to areas with visible damage, such as cracked tiles or discolored paint on walls or floors near fixtures. This could indicate that there is an ongoing leak behind the wall where homeowners can’t easily see it but can still cause serious damage if left unchecked. Relying on an experienced plumber to detect leaks around fixtures will be the best way to know if there’s a leaky pipe or broken fixture.
Water Pooling Around Home Exterior
During winter months, when temperatures drop below freezing point, frozen pipes can sometimes burst due to water expansion that occurs when ice forms inside. Homeowners should check around their property for pools of water forming near exterior walls since these may be caused by frozen pipes cracking open due to pressure buildup inside them during cold weather conditions.
Winter Plumbing in Baltimore, MD
Of course, prevention is always better than cure when it comes to avoiding costly repairs due to plumbing leaks and bursting pipes during wintertime – so make sure you prepare well by having any necessary maintenance done before cold weather sets in! Ensure all exposed piping is insulated properly, and stay vigilant throughout winter by relying on Albright's Mechanical Services to check for any signs of plumbing problems inside and outside your home.
We will help ensure that any small issues are caught early on before they become more serious (and expensive) problems down the line! Contact us at (410) 834-0148 to schedule an appointment.