Managing leaks in your home or business can seem like an overwhelming task. Understanding what sort of repair is needed is crucial to stopping the leaks and preventing any further damage. The unique climate and infrastructure of Federal Heights can influence the common causes and types of leaks we deal with. Be it a leaky pipe, a dripping faucet, or roof trouble, identifying the leak's source is the first critically important step toward making a successful repair. Even small leaks can easily "escalate" and lead to damage that's far more expensive to fix—just think of the hundreds (or sometimes thousands) of dollars it costs to mitigate mold! And by the way, leaks "escalate" in part because they tend to be repaired poorly by those who don’t really know what they’re doing.
Plumbing leaks are common all the time and everywhere, but they’re especially rampant in both residential and commercial properties here in Federal Heights. Unlike some maintenance issues, a plumbing problem is one that you really can’t ignore. A leak can be a very serious thing—especially if it’s been happening for any length of time—and there are all kinds of factors that can contribute to one. Aging infrastructure is a big culprit; tons of almost 100-year-old metal and lead pipes (like the ones that used to carry water to the old Bryn Mawr School) are still in the ground, waiting to rust apart. Improper construction and bad design can lead to big plumbing problems, too. (The more I think about it, the more I suspect that whoever made this comic had never designed a proper plumbing system.)
Another frequent issue is leaks in the roof, especially after the Federal Heights area has been hit with heavy rain, snow, or both. Leaks are serious business, at least according to many roofing pros. And they insist that homeowners are woefully unaware of just how serious (or how much money what could occur if a leak, like the one in the drawing just above, got inside your own house and your own business). Signs of a roof leak: water stains on ceilings, walls, or inside a chimney; bubbling, peeling, or tacky paint; dark patches on surfaces next to windows (which could be due to a presence of mold), or near the front of the roof (which could fashion a roof light). And smell (or the presence of more-than-just-humans mumbling to the next big moment in hair).