Common Causes of Water Leaks in Your Home

Maintenance needs to be high on the list in any context involving water in your home if you want to eliminate the threat of water leaks leading to damage and the growth of toxic mold. Simple maintenance measures on a regular routine can be performed to keep your family safe and the integrity of your home intact. There are several common sources of water leaks in the home. The first are faucets on your kitchen and bathroom sinks. The plumbing beneath the cabinetry is where you need to examine to identify a leak. There are many joints in a pipe as it approaches a faucet so repairs and replacements can be made on the faucet itself. Checking this common cause of water leaks in your home can prevent mold growth and damage before it ever begins.

The next source is the hose on your washing machine. Hoses that have been in use for five years or longer need regular checkups to ensure they are not leaking. Look closely and if you spot a thin ribbon of water streaming from the drain hose, you could have a serious problem if you do not take care of the problem immediately. The same is also true on the hoses attached to water heaters. Serious mold issues can begin from a seemingly innocent leak like this.

The bathroom is a location notorious for water leaks in your home. Since this location is often humid and moist much of the time, particular care should be taken to maintain the plumbing in your bathroom. Shower leaks are often the result of cracks in old grout. This easily leads to mold growth behind the tiles. While the mold is hidden, the affects of it are not. Toxic spores can be released from rotting materials found behind shower walls. If allowed to get into the air, these molds can be detrimental to the quality of air in your home.

Toilets are the other factor in the bathroom of your home. The bowls never dry since water constantly sits in them. This results in a great possibility for leaks. To prevent these problem areas from ever resulting in mold growth, monthly checks should be performed. You can do this yourself by simply examining the connections of piping and feeling around to ensure the areas are dry. For your shower tile, examine the grout when the shower is dry and look for cracks. The key to water leaks in your home is that if there is no moisture, there is no mold.