Dealing with a water leak on your property can be frustrating. Not only is it difficult to locate on your own, but it can also be expensive to solve, especially if it goes undetected for any length of time. The longer you let the leak go untreated, the more damage it can cause. Unfortunately, lingering leaks can lead to structural damage, sinkholes in your lawn, and even pipe dislocation; so dealing with it right away is essential to avoiding unnecessary costs.

It’s worth noting that because your plumbing is a closed, connected system, a leak anywhere on your property can have effects throughout your yard and home. For example, a leak in your front yard can still cause damage throughout your home and on other areas of your property. With that in mind, the best way to prevent damage from occurring is by catching the leak early.

SIGNS TO LOOK FOR

While no one enjoys experiencing a water leak, the good thing is that there are often telltale signs that can help homeowners identify the problem. By keeping an eye on your yard and home and knowing what is normal (and what isn’t), you can hopefully catch the problem earlier and avoid more expenses down the road.

YOUR WATER BILL HAS INCREASED WITHOUT EXPLANATION

If you have noticed a sudden spike in your water bill, a water leak may very well be the culprit! As crazy as it may sound, just a minor leak can lead to exponential cost. For example, a showerhead that drips 10 times in one minute comes out to about 2 gallons of water a day. When you add that up over a month, that’s an extra 60 gallons of water that you’re paying for, but not using!

Now think about how much water a more significant leak (like a main water line leak) could be wasting. This is why seeing a drastic increase in your water bill can be a sure sign that something is wrong. Know what a typical monthly bill looks like for your family—if there is a sudden change, consider calling your trusted local plumber (Beyond Wow, we hope!) to make sure everything your water line is up to par.

UNUSUALLY LOW WATER PRESSURE

If water coming through your pipes is exiting where it’s not supposed to, it could cause low water pressure in various outlets in your home. Low water pressure at sprinkler heads, faucets, or showerheads that doesn’t have another explanation may be a strong sign that there’s a water leak somewhere on your property.

CRACKED OR WARPED WALLS

A water leak in your yard (especially one that has been there for awhile) can cause structural damage to the walls inside and outside your home. Strange discoloration, cracking, or moisture buildup on your walls, floors, or cabinetry can be an indicator that there is a leak somewhere on your waterline.

It’s important to be aware that if you notice this symptom in particular, you may have a water leak that has gone undetected for quite some time. We highly recommend having a professional plumber look at your plumbing to identify the issue and prevent further damage.

YOU HEAR RUNNING WATER

This one may be a bit obvious, but if you hear running water either inside your home or standing in your yard, don’t ignore it! It’s very likely that you are hearing the water leak, and it’s better to call your plumber to take a look just to be safe. At the end of the day, it’s better to be cautious than to let a leak continue, causing further damage to your yard and home.

PUDDLES ARE FORMING IN YOUR YARD

Pooling or flooding in your yard is a very strong indicator that you have a leak somewhere. Not only that, but too much water can cause damage to your lawn, shrubbery, and home structure, so it’s important to contact your plumber as soon as possible to avoid additional expenses.

FOUL SMELLING WATER

Stinky faucets and other outlets usually mean that dirty water or sewage is not being properly channeled out of the home due to a leak. If you notice unpleasant smells anywhere near your sinks, showers, or other water outlets, make note of it for your plumber.

WHERE IS THE WATER LEAK IN YOUR YARD COMING FROM?

While the answer to this question may seem straightforward, there are actually a few different sources that the leak may be coming from. Additionally, the signs can be slightly unique, so knowing what to look for can help you better communicate to your plumber what the problem is.

If you notice any of the signs listed above and your yard also smells stinky, you may be dealing with a sewage leak. Another common sign that this is the cause is unusually green, thick grass.

The second potential source could be a main water line leak. If this is the case, you will most likely notice water sitting in the front yard and exorbitant water bills.

Lastly, if you are dealing with an irrigation system leak, you may notice flooding around sprinkler heads.

The best way to determine the source of the leak is to have an experienced plumber survey your property and locate the leak. Their unique expertise can help them recognize signs that the typical homeowner may not see. However, you may be able to give your plumber a better idea as to where the problem lies by keeping an eye out for these symptoms.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A WATER LEAK IN YOUR YARD

It can be tempting to avoid taking action on a water leak, because let’s face it, it seems like a small problem. However, that small problem can turn into major damage down the road if the problem isn’t fixed as soon as you identify it. If you notice any of these symptoms (and especially if you notice multiple), we recommend reaching out to your trusted plumbers at Beyond Wow. With top-level expertise and exceptional customer service that surpasses expectations, we have more than 42 years of experience fixing leaks for homeowners just like you.

If you suspect you have a leak on your property, or you would like to learn more about leak detection, give us a call today!