Your home is a valuable asset that you need to take care of so it lasts as long as possible and maintains its value. Simple things like a leak in your home’s foundation can cause major complications in the long run if they aren’t handled quickly. A leak in a home’s foundation could cause a potential disaster and significantly reduce the value of your home.
Additionally, if you don’t catch a leak in your home early enough then you could end up forking over thousands of dollars to get it repaired along with any other damages that might have happened following the leak. According to a leak detection company in California, there are ways you can find hidden leaks in your home’s foundation. These precautions will make it so you don’t have to worry about waiting too long to find it or paying a ton of money to get it fixed for finding it late.
Look At Your Water Usage
By checking your home’s water usage, you’ll be able to determine average levels and recognize what level your water use typically stays at. If you notice a rise in water usage levels then it’s best to start checking your home’s foundation for leaks because you might have one.
Additionally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency suggests checking your water usage in your home during the winter months because the cold temperatures cause water to create cracks in foundations and cause leakage. Always be on the lookout for your water usage levels and make a move quickly when you see a jump so you don’t end up paying for more damage that could happen.
Every once in a while it’s best to do a walkthrough of the foundation of your home to make sure you don’t see any glaring leaks or cracks in the foundation. This might seem obvious but so many homeowners have never once taken a second look at the foundation for cracks that it’s alarming the first time they do.
They notice things that could be potential for damage to their foundation and are able to get it fixed before the problem elevates to a higher level. A quick walkthrough with a friend or family member could be the extra set of eyes you need to keep your property in top shape. It might be time consuming if you really want to do a thorough check of your foundation but it’s worth it.
Take A Look At Your Utility Bill
Checking your utility bill regularly is another major key to making sure your water usage isn’t rising and you don’t have a leak. An unusually expensive bill for your utilities could be a major sign of whether or not your home has a leak. Your utility bill can vary depending on the season if you have your heat on in your home so it can be hard to differentiate what your water bill looks like if you don’t pay close attention to it. This is why you have to thoroughly look through your bill and make sure you check your water bill specifically to see if it’s changed. If you do notice a change then you should call your utility company first to make sure your bill is accurate and then you should call a professional to come and check to see if your foundation has a leak.
Look At Common Areas
It’s common sense that water leaks are only going to happen in areas of your home’s foundation that have piping and water. If you know a certain place in your home’s foundation is not associated with water in any way then you can rule that area out for your investigation. You can simply search the other areas of the foundation to check for a leak. In general, when looking for a water leak in your home it’s best to use your common sense and focus on spots that have a possibility of leaking. These spots are sinks, showers, bath tubs and anything else that runs water. If a leak is the case then you’ll know where to start looking in your home. As far as your foundation goes, it’s best to only focus on sections with water and piping.
Check For Mold
If you recognize the smell of mold then you might be able to determine if there is a leak in your foundation just by sniffing around. Mold can have a very distinct smell when it is caused by sitting water and if you’re able to stand around your foundation with a good sense of smell then you might be able to figure out if you have a leak without any help. Smelling for mold isn’t difficult but you have to already know what mold smells like. Some describe it as a sour scent that typically gathers wherever leaking water sits at. Sometimes it can be found in carpets and on the floor.
Look For Perimeter Leaks
Checking the foundation of your home for perimeter leaks can save you money if you find it early enough because it can be one of the most expensive damages to repair. It could be in a low window or a hole in your foundation that you never noticed before. Perimeter leaks can really lead to a lot of trouble for homeowners so it’s best to try and find a fix for it early before it costs you too much money.
Feel For Warm Spots
Warm spots in your home, specifically in your carpet, are sometimes a key giveaway that there is a hidden leak in your home and that it’s a hot water pipe that’s leaking. If you suspect the hot water pipe is somewhere beneath you, you can walk around without shoes and socks on to figure out where there is a warm spot that you could find.
The windows in your home are an important structural and visual element. They’re also very susceptible to damage – whether it’s from harsh weather, worn-out components or a wayward baseball. There are various reasons why you should consider to repair your windows with professionals instead of trying to fix all the problems by your own.
