There are many ways that leaks can occur; and if they are not dealt with quickly, they can cause some serious damage. The typical household has a number of potential leak points. The most common are plumbing leaks, which can come from any number of sources: worn-out pipe joints, too little or too much pressure in the system, or even just plain bad design. When a plumbing leak happens, it will usually make itself known in one of three places: near the fixtures you use every day (like the kitchen or bathroom), behind an interior wall, or somewhere up in the ceiling near the second-level floors. Of these, the first and last places are the easiest to work in; and if you're a plumber, the first thing you want to find when you get to the job site is a strong indication that you've got plumbing problems at the point of known problem accessibility.
Underground leaks are a unique challenge for foundation repair in Arvada because of the varied soil types. These leaks usually start around the foundation where water drainage is poor. Heavy rain and melting snow can make the problem worse, and the condition of the soil can vary greatly from one part of a property to another. Pipes carrying water to and from the house can also be part of the problem if they are nearly 40 years old and breaking down (as many in collapsed Colorado do). And then there’s the natural settling of the foundation to consider: All houses move, but some more than others, and the ups and downs of a 132-year-old structure might be part of the problem. Slow healing of a leak doesn’t happen in a vacuum.
Along with plumbing and foundation leaks, it is vital to consider the leaks that might be surfacing from our home appliances. We think of leaks as the exclusive domain of our kitchen and bathroom plumbing, but any appliance that uses water is at risk of developing a slow leak that might go undetected for months or even years. That means our dishwashers, washing machines, and refrigerators are all potential sources of gradual water damage, and the repairs can be extensive and costly if we don't catch the leaks in time.
Fortunately, the leaking appliances that use water are some of the easiest to access and inspect. With some routine checks and a little know-how, we can diagnose the kind of problems that lead to leaks. And if we find ourselves in any doubt, we can always call in the pros.