Some leaks are easy to identify, but mystery puddles need to be investigated further to determine what’s causing them and how bad the leak is.
When it comes to plumbing problems, some of the more serious issues are easy to diagnose and deal with. However, this is not always the case. One common plumbing problem is the dreaded mystery puddles that can turn up seemingly out of nowhere and with no immediately identifiable source. These can be nerve-wracking for homeowners because they may elude to a severe leak that is getting out of control somewhere in the home. There are many potential sources for mystery puddles, and it’s important to get the issue diagnosed and cleared up as quickly as possible to avoid significant water damage to your home.
Leaky Appliance
One common cause of mystery puddles is nearby appliances that have developed a leak. In the kitchen, this often comes from the fridge or dishwasher. In the laundry room, you’ll likely find that your washing machine is the cause. Appliances degrade over time and develop issues within their components, which can sometimes lead to mystery puddles on your floors.
Leaky Pipe
Perhaps the most common perpetrator of mystery puddles is a leaky pipe. A serious leak is easy to spot—they are large and dump water into your home at a significant rate. However, pinhole leaks can and do occur. These small leaks will grow slowly over time as the area around the leak continues to degrade, and they aren’t always obvious initially as the leak itself is very minor. Sometimes these start to push out enough water to create small puddles around your home without you being sure it’s from the pipe since the leak is too small to be obvious.
Leaky Roof
What you really don’t want is a leaky roof, but this could be the culprit of mystery puddles in a home. Like pinhole leaks in pipes, roof leaks often start small enough to avoid detection, but eventually, they can start creating noticeable mystery puddles in your home that require a closer look. These can sometimes be easy to spot if the ceiling is damp or is beginning to show signs of water damage, but if there is no other obvious culprit, the roof should be checked for leaks.
What to Do
If you spot mystery puddles in your home and you’re not sure where the water is coming from, call a professional plumber to take a look and diagnose the issue. If it’s going to take some time for the plumber to make it out, it’s a good idea to take a picture of the puddle so they can see its exact location, size, and appearance. This can give them some hints as to what may be the cause and speed up the diagnosis and repair process so you can go back to living in a dry home.
Call Mahon Plumbing Today
If you still have more questions regarding your plumbing, we here at Mahon Plumbing are here to help. We have been serving the wider Baltimore area since 1994, so we have 25 years of experience to back up our fantastic service! Call us at our Baltimore location at 410-766-8566 or our Pasadena location at 410-636-7944. Be sure to keep up with us on social media by following us on Facebook or Twitter.