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8 Most Common Leak Locations

When you notice a minor water drop there is always the fear that something far worse has happened. Water leaks are any homeowners worst nightmare, since they can occur almost without you noticing it at all at first, and later they make a much bigger damage to your house. Unfortunately, big or small, water leaks can arise anywhere. From your basement or bathroom to the roof, they can be utterly destructive but also quite preventable as well. Get an insight into the most common leak location, what kind of damage can they cause on your house and even how to solve that issue and protect your home.

 

 

 

• 1. Chimney and flashings

 

Different weather conditions will produce leaks in various location. The tedious rain is usually the main cause of leak damage, and chimneys are the most common source. Firstly, your chimney must have perfectly sealed flashing in order to prevent the water coming in. Unless those flashings are not secured, you will have a major leak in your home. Additionally, the chimney’s brick mortar joints must be tightly sealed so that water can’t flow in. So, to mend this problem you have to check all the flashings for an even hair-lined crack and fix it appropriately. Professionals will use roof cement or completely repair and replace existing flashing instead of using any type of sealant.

 

 

 

• 2. Leaking pipes

 

When pipes leak they can cause endless problems to you and your house. There can be multiple cause of leaking pipes. Most common one are corrosion, high water pressure, foundation shifts, and even temperature changes. To prevent pipes from leaking, in the first place you have to monitor any changes, and if you see a stained wall not to ignore it. Leaky pipes can damage your house in so many ways: you can have poor water quality, warped and stained walls, black mold, and above all flood. Address this issue by immediately calling a plumber or any other professional help who would fix the drainage and stop the leaking.

 

 

• 3. Roof Top leaking

 

Each country experiences the similar problem when it comes to roof leaking. It can only depend on the type of roof that you have. For instance, homeowners in Australia tend to have rooftops with multiple step flashings, while British opt for houses with roof dormers. Rain and water can easily penetrate around those areas and cause severe damage. Specialists in Remedial waterproofing from Sydney resolve this type of leaking by professionally applying waterproof sheet membranes, liquid and cement based applications adaptable for any rooftops. By adding two or three layer torch waterproofing system you would have a more durable and sustainable rooftop which will secure your roof with higher performance and temperature tolerance.

 

 

 

• 4. Bathroom leaking

 

Certainly one of the most annoying leaking problem that any homeowner can experience is in the bathroom. The most frequent leak is caused by a tub or shower. The faulty seal tends to be the main reason for the leakage. Usually, we don’t detect the leak immediately because a bathroom is bound to get wet, however you can easily spot the mold growth around the tiles or on the floor. Similar can happen with the toilet if it leaks around the seal. Toilets that leak internally just make the water drain right into the sewer, so there is not much repair there except a big water bill. On the other hand, for the other bathroom leakages, you should contact the plumber to fix everything in time.

 

 

 

• 5. Wind-driven rain leaks

 

Windblown rain leaks can come in from above the roof, around the windows, between the corner boards and sidings. If you don’t have an alarm system to protect your house somebody can enter your through windows without a problem due to corrosion. Water can also enter through small crack and knotholes in sidings so you should patch that as soon as possible. You should replace any cracked, rotted or missing siding, just make sure that new piece overlaps the step flashing. Also, you can completely replace the window particularly if the damage is severe.

 

 

• 6. Leaking hoses

 

The washing machine and the dishwasher’s leakage is the hardest to detect. Hoses are usually placed behind and in that way that is hard to see and reach. That is why if your washing machine hoses burst or leak you won’t notice it until it is too late. The water in those hoses is always running so when a leak occurs it would be chaos. At once you have to plug the machine out and start collecting water in order to avoid it flooding the entire house. If your machines have a warranty, then you can easily replace the damaged hose. If not, then you should consult with the plumber and get a suitable new hose or just buy a new appliance.

 

 

 

• 7. Ice dam leaks

 

For those who live in the snow belt, this is an ongoing issue, but it can affect everybody else in the winter. Ice dam leaks can cause the worst case scenario because they can happen even if everything is perfectly okay with your house. What happens is that ice dam blocks the natural flow of water down the roof. Consequently, water begins to block and back up under flashings and shingles. To make matters worse, the water can be dripping into your house for days before noticing it. Clean the snow from the water drains in the first place, next install membranes under the roofing. That wouldn’t help much with the snow and ice, but it would effectively stop the leaks.

 

 

 

 

• 8. Basement Leaks
  

 

 

If you notice uneven floor surface, mold or fungi formation, musty smells, staining or discoloration of materials, and rotting carpets, then you have leakage from the basement. There are numerous pipes that go under your house, some are connected to sewage, many others for miscellaneous pipes. This type of problem can be fixed only with a detailed inspection from the professionals. If it had been leaking for a long period than perhaps they would have to dig under your house or even on the streets to find and resolve the issue. Whatever happens, make sure that you have the right phone numbers always at your side.

 

 

Keeping the house neat and safe is not an easy task, and it requires our full attention. Many problems can be fixed if you detect them on time.