Leaks are a homeowners worst enemy. The worst part of dealing with leaks, is their ability to stay hidden for a long amount of time. Usually, we only become aware of leaks when we begin noticing damp patches on our walls or ceiling. By this stage, chances are the leak has already travelled through the various structures in your home, creating destruction and damage along the way. Whilst the best way to treat a leak is to operate on a principle of prevention rather than treatment, there are a few ways you can spot a leak early on to minimise damage.
Weakened sealant
Checking the sealant around the appliances in your bathroom may lead you to discover possible areas where water damage could occur, or has occurred. Despite sealant being a strong barrier against water, if your shower is being frequently used, the force of water can weaken sealant sooner than you think. A shower that is used regularly, will need to be sealed around every six months. Keeping an eye on your sealed areas is vital, in order to spot peeling sealant which will need replacing. If your sealant has turned black or mouldy, this means water has gotten behind the sealant, this sealant will need to be replaced in order to build up your shower’s water defense again. If new sealant turns mouldy also, this indicates that moisture is coming through the wall, suggesting there is a leak.
Warped floors
Moisture within a home will show more subtly in floors and walls. If you have a wooden floor, keep an eye out for damp patches or warping which may be caused by damp exposure. Spots of rotting wood and mould also signal a leak is present. If your home has laminate flooring, leak detection may be a little trickier. Laminate flooring may distort, warp or lift if water has made its way into the flooring. This will be harder to spot as the flooring is covered with laminate, so you may want to be extra vigilant around laminate flooring in bathrooms for example. Water can become trapped between the laminate and the floor, meaning the water will begin to puddle between the two surfaces and cause damage to the surface below.
Damp Spots
The most obvious sign of a leak on your property is damp spots on your walls or ceiling. If damp spots are visible in the corners of your ceiling for example, this suggests there is a leak in the room above, as water travels down. It is worth assessing the colour of the damp spots in your home, are they clear or discoloured? Clear water marks suggest the leak is an internal problem related to the pipe system in your home. If water is discoloured, this suggests a leak is coming from outside, and it is bringing dirt and debris with it.
Finding and treating the leak
If you smell damp, or see the signs of a leak, it is now time to enlist a professional. Leaving a leak untreated does not mean the problem will disappear, it simply means the leak will continue to cause more damage in your home. The repair will also become more expensive. Aspect professionals, who are experts in leak detection, will be able to conduct thorough checks on your property in order to find the source of the leak, and repair it. The water leak detection process carried out by Aspect experts, is non-invasive and discrete, causing no damage to your home. Aspect experts use state of the art technology which locates leaks using thermal imaging and tracing gas, tools of which do not require pulling up carpets or drilling holes in your home.
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