NewsLeak

From the Wall Street Journal. by Amy Hoak

Left unchecked, water leaks can be a house’s worst enemy.

“Water is one of the most destructive things to a house,” says David Tamny, president of the American Society of Home Inspectors. “It can account for so many things going wrong in a structure.”

Water damage is the second most-common cause of damage in homes, following fires, says Scott Spencer, world-wide appraisal and loss-prevention manager for insurer Chubb Group.

Leaks that aren’t obvious often produce the biggest issues. “If your bathtub or shower is leaking, you’re going to recognize that quickly and take steps to fix it. The hidden problems, people don’t know to fix,” Mr. Tamny says. As a result, they tend to worsen over time.

Still, if you know what to look for, it’s not difficult to identify water leaks before they flood into bigger — and more expensive — headaches. In addition to watching for spikes in your water bill, which could indicate leaky fixtures, look out for the problems in the following places.

1 The Roof

Your roof can last many years, but it’s important to regularly check on its condition, says Mr. Spencer, “especially after a traumatic event like a hailstorm or a windstorm.” Identifying a roof leak quickly can limit the amount of repair work needed and limit the spread of mold.

Also, you should make a visit to the attic at least once a year, says David Lupberger, home-improvement expert for ServiceMagic.com, which connects consumers with home-improvement specialists. “Make sure that it doesn’t smell musty or moldy,” he says.

Most roofing contractors will offer free roof inspections, but remember, their objective is to find something wrong so they can fix it, Mr. Spencer says.

Another option is to hire a home inspector, Mr. Tamny says. The cost of home-inspection services vary, but if you just want the roof looked at, ask for a partial inspection, which will help keep the expense down.

Skylights also can be vulnerable to leaks because of their location and the challenges they present in installation, according to Chubb. Inside the house, check for any staining in the skylight area, which could be caused by a build-up of condensation.

2 The Basement

The best way to prevent problems in the basement starts outside, Mr. Lupberger says.

“Every spring and fall you should be cleaning your gutters and downspouts, and you want to make sure that water is not puddling next to your foundation,” he says. “Then, walk around the house and make sure there aren’t low points next to the foundation. Ninety percent of water in the basement is due to improper drainage.”

Crawlspaces also should be checked on occasion for signs of mold. “Liquid water is only one part of the equation,” Mr. Tamny says. Humidity can also be destructive, and lead to mold. For that reason, be mindful when setting a humidifier. “Humidity in the house should never be above 50%. The colder it gets, the lower the humidity should be,” he says.

3 Bathroom and Kitchen

Because of the frequency with which people use their bathrooms, it’s likely that problems will be spotted early. Still, there are preventive steps that can be taken so problems don’t have a chance to develop.

The shower and bath area is a vulnerable place for water leaks, making it important to proactively replace the caulk around fixtures every couple of years, Mr. Spencer says.

Also, replace broken toilet flappers, the rubber part in the tank that seals the drain, and address leaky fixtures, says Jimmy Carter, senior director of corporate field services for American Leak Detection. If you hear water running when the bathroom isn’t being used, you could have a problem.

In the bathroom and the kitchen, regularly feel the pipes under sinks to make sure there aren’t any leaks, Mr. Spencer says.

As the weather turns cooler, one of the “fast and furious” water leaks that homeowners encounter occurs when a pipe freezes and bursts, he says. To prevent that, never turn the heat below 55 degrees, he says. On particularly cold days, leave the bottom vanity open so there are no extremely cold temperatures near the pipes.

“Be particularly aware of those water fixtures on exterior walls of the home,” Mr. Spencer says, since those walls will be colder.

4 Appliances

Check washing-machine hoses to make sure they’re not loose fitting or aged. You may see a bulge in the washer’s rubber hose when it’s starting to wear, says Mr. Carter. Hoses become brittle and often require replacing every five to seven years, according to Chubb.

Also keep an eye on your water heater, which Mr. Spencer says is a “classic source of damage from water loss.” Age matters; water heaters typically have a lifespan of 10 to 12 years, he says.

Check the silver plate mounted on the water heater, which includes manufacturer information, Mr. Spencer adds. Look for evidence of leaks around the pipes and at the base of the water heater, as well as rust on any of the parts, according to Chubb.