Water and electricity problems can give you a headache and spoil your day. If you have water problems, a quick fix will work sometimes. However, if you have widespread water damage caused by a leak, your daily routine will be interrupted.
Water leaking is both annoying and dangerous for a number of reasons:
.It leaves water stains all over the house, making it look untidy.
.There is a high possibility of electrocution and fire – in case there is an interference with electronic devices or electric circuits.
.It causes sanitation and hygiene problems.
All these problems can occur when you are renovating your home. If you are wondering what is causing your water leakage problem, you are not alone. Many homeowners spend an inordinate amount of time worrying about the cause of leakages during renovation. Here are some of the common leakage problems that most people encounter:
.Water supply line leakage –
more often than not, this is the cause of most homeowners sleepless nights. The main supply line can sustain damage during the process of renovation, leading to high utility bills and low water pressure.
.Tub, shower, and faucet leaks –
these leaks can occur when the bathroom is being remodelled. Luckily, they are easy to diagnose and fix.
.Toilet leaks –
these leaks can go unnoticed for a long period of time, because they are not in full view of the homeowner. However, once you notice them, it might be too late to save your floor.
What causes water leaking during renovation?
When a homeowner embarks on a home renovation adventure, he or she is usually excited that the home is finally going to look as stylish as they envision it. However, with the joy of a renovation comes an assortment of troubles, with water leakage being one of them. All the excitement of having a dream home goes down the drain when leakages occur. Water leaks can destroy your floors, ceilings, and walls, damaging all your expensive appliances and building materials. Here are the main causes of leakages during renovations:
.Poor inspection –
often times, a newly renovated home will suffer from water leakages that originate from shower and toilet pipes because of a defective pipeline. When this happens, your bathroom becomes flooded, causing floor damage. If this problem is detected during inspection, as the house is undergoing renovation, it can be fixed by replacing the faulty pipes. If it goes undetected, however, you will have to part with a lot of money to fix the resulting damage.
.Incompetent plumbers –
you should always hire experienced plumbers when renovating your home. Hiring a plumber just because he is cheap could end up costing you an arm and a leg in the long run. Make sure that you check the plumber’s credentials and references before you hire him. Doing a background check is always recommended.
.Handling pipes roughly –
when doing a house renovation, most people do not touch their plumbing unless it is faulty. This means that they only remodel the walls, floors, and ceilings. In order to put in a new wall, the old one needs to come down. If the contractors are not careful, they might damage the underlying pipe work when taking down old walls. To avoid this, you need to remind them to be careful when demolishing walls.
.Cheap plumbing materials –
if you are going to renovate, you might as well go all out. There is no point in redoing your home with cheap materials. If you buy weak pipes, they might start leaking before the renovation is complete. To avoid this pitfall, you need to consult the best plumber in your area; he will help you in choosing the best materials in the market.
.Incorrect roof patching –
Roof leaks cause untold damage to walls and ceilings. Is your roof in dire need of repairs? Then you need to find all the leaks and seal them properly. The best way to do this is by climbing on the roof and finding holes. If you cannot do it yourself, hire a person that has experience in handling roof repairs. Does your house have an attic? If your roof leaks, you will find mold and water stains in the attic. Some roofs are too damaged to repair. In this case, you need to replace the entire roof, which is pretty costly.
How to find water leakages
When your house is being renovated, you might not notice leaks right away. However, you need to be on the lookout for signs of leakage so that you can get the leaks repaired as soon as possible. The signs of water leakage include:
.Dank smell –
the area surrounding a leaky pipe has a damp smell that is easily noticeable. If you clean a room thoroughly and can still detect a faint, damp smell, call your plumber.
.Water stains –
a water stain is easy to spot. Once you locate such stains, you need to call an expert immediately to avoid extensive damage.
.Buckling floor –
is your newly installed floor buckling? This is a sure sign of water damage. However, you should be able to spot water stains before this happens. If not, do not worry; the damage can be repaired before it ruins the whole floor.
.Damaged walls –
the only way you can miss water stains on your wall is if you do not use a room often. In this case, the damage can become quite extensive, ruining your walls. Paint and wallpaper will start peeling off once the water starts damaging the wall. As soon as you see wall damage, call your plumber for a swift fix.
.mold –
this is another obvious indicator of water leakage. Mold thrives in wet areas, including floors, walls, and ceilings. The color of mold – green – is hard to miss. Search beneath your kitchen cabinets to find hidden mold.
Once you see signs of water leaking, shut off your water supply, and call an expert. Dry the pipes and surrounding areas quickly to prevent water damage. As a temporary fix, you can try to cover the leak with epoxy and rubber. However, if the leak is large, just wait for the plumber to arrive.