A leaking faucet - Learn how to fix a leaking pipe with Laughlin Electric
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How to Spot and Fix Common Water Leaks in Your Home

January 20, 2025

Learn how to to recognize water leaks and know when to contact a professional plumber.

How to Fix a Leaking Pipe

Water leaks in your home may not seem like a big deal, but even small leaks can lead to significant damage over time, such as structural issues, mold growth, and high water bills. Identifying leaks early and getting proper plumbing repairs can save you from high expenses and potential health hazards.

This guide will help you spot common household leaks, address minor issues, know how to fix a leaking pipe, and know when to call a professional plumber for repairs.

Common Types of Water Leaks

Leaks can happen in any part of the house or outdoor area, and each type needs to be identified and addressed differently. A slow drip or leak can waste hundreds of gallons of water annually and dramatically increase your water bill. Homeowners can usually identify the most common types of water leaks themselves. Here are the warning signs to look out for.

  • Dripping Faucets: A drip can occur at the base of the faucet, around the handles, or directly from the spout and may be caused by worn-out washers, valve seats, or O-rings.
  • Toilet Leaks: Signs of a leaky toilet include trickling water, a constantly running toilet, or water pooling around the base. Most toilet leaks are caused by faulty flappers, worn-out wax seals, or issues with the fill valve.
  • Leaky Pipes: Leaky pipes are among the most serious leaks in the home because they can go unnoticed for a long time. Homeowners may notice water stains under sinks or on walls and ceilings. Other signs include bubbling paint, musty odors, and unexplained spikes in water bills.
  • Outdoor Leaks: Spigots, hoses, damaged pipes, and irrigation or sprinkler systems can cause leaks in yards. These leaks lead to significant water loss but may go unnoticed. Signs of outdoor leaks are flooded sections of the lawn, pooling around spigots, unusually high water bills, or decreased water pressure in your irrigation system.

Why Spotting Water Leaks Early is Essential

Knowing the warning signs of plumbing leaks and promptly addressing them is essential to maintaining a safe home.

Here’s why to never ignore a leak:

  • The Cost of Ignored Leaks: Steady leaks can result in an unexpected high water bill. Water can also damage drywall, flooring, cabinetry, and outside property, leading to expensive repairs or home renovations.
  • Health Hazards: Excess moisture from leaks creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew growth, which can impact indoor air quality and pose health risks, especially for those with allergies or respiratory conditions.
  • Structural Risks: Prolonged water exposure can weaken wooden structures, corrode metal structural components, and degrade the home’s foundation. Floors and walls might discolor or warp, and ceilings can sag or collapse.
  • Environmental Impact: Water is a valuable resource, and a dripping faucet can waste hundreds to thousands of gallons annually. More intense leaks will lead to even more water loss, which depletes local water supplies and increases energy consumption. Addressing leaks promptly conserves water and supports sustainability efforts.

DIY Fixes vs. Professional Solutions

While minor leaks can sometimes be fixed with DIY solutions, professional plumbers provide reliable, long-lasting repairs and prevent future issues. Here’s a breakdown for homeowners:

DIY Fixes

Some minor leaks can be addressed without calling a professional. These include:

  • Simple DIY Repairs:
    • In many cases, simply replacing a washer or O-ring can fix a leaky faucet. If the faucet leaks after a basic repair, it may be time to replace it.
    • Replacing a worn-out flapper or adjusting the float level can stop minor toilet leaks. However, persistent leaks and issues with wax seals usually require professional repair.
    • Tightening fittings or using plumber's tape may solve minor pipe leaks. Pipe leaks can escalate quickly, so professional repair is often necessary.
  • Risks of DIY:
    • If you attempt a DIY fix, make sure you have the right tools and turn off the water supply before beginning any repair.
    • Having improper equipment or not taking proper safety precautions can lead to further damage, cause higher repair costs, and pose safety risks, especially when dealing with pressurized pipes or hidden leaks.
Professional Intervention

Knowing when to call a professional plumber can save you time and money while keeping your home safe. Many plumbing issues require prompt attention and specialized expertise to fix them correctly and prevent further damage.

  • Call a Professional if You Notice:
    • Water stains on walls or ceilings
    • A sudden and significant drop in water pressure
    • Substantial spikes in water bills
    • Recurring leaks despite previous repairs
    • Mold or mildew growth
    • Water coming out of electrical sockets
    • Noisy or continuously running plumbing systems, such as toilets or water heaters
  • Benefits of Professional Intervention:
    • Proven Expertise: Professional plumbers are highly trained, have industry experience, and use advanced tools to locate hidden leaks.
    • Proven Expertise: Reputable plumbers provide thorough, long-lasting repairs and ensure your home is up to code. Beyond fixing leaks, professional plumbers help to prevent future issues through routine inspections and proactive maintenance.
    • Customer-First Approach: Trustworthy plumbing professionals set clear expectations, communicate with homeowners, and prioritize customer satisfaction.
A water leak damaging a residential floor.

Protect Your Home with Expert Plumbing Services

Addressing leaks promptly can save homeowners time, money, and stress. When in doubt about how to fix a leaking pipe, contact Laughlin Electric. Our trained plumbers have the tools and expertise to diagnose problems accurately, prevent further damage, and provide lasting solutions.

At Laughlin Electric, we provide top-tier plumbing services. Whether it’s a dripping faucet or a leaky sprinkler system, our team is ready to help. Schedule now to protect your home from water damage!

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Laughlin Electric icon checklist FAQs

Laughlin provides comprehensive electrical, plumbing, and home entertainment services, including installations, repairs, upgrades, and maintenance. We also specialize in custom lighting systems, solar systems, EV charger installations, and smart home system setups.

Yes, all Laughlin technicians are fully licensed, insured, and highly trained to ensure the highest quality of service and safety for your home. Our electricians possess C-10 Electrical Contractor’s Licenses, Lutron Installation Certifications, and Journeyman Electrical Certifications, while our plumbers have C-36 Plumbing Licenses.

Laughlin offers 24/7 emergency booking services for electrical, drain cleaning, and plumbing issues. We answer our phones 24/7, so feel free to call us whenever you need. Your emergency service will be booked as soon as possible according to the Central Coast location hours.

Yes, we offer a guarantee on all our services, and our work is backed by a warranty to ensure long-lasting results.

If your electrical panel has never been replaced and you’re constantly flipping breakers, it may be time for a replacement. Additionally, if the breaker feels hot to the touch or smells like it’s burning, it is a clear indication that it needs to be replaced.

Yes, we offer comprehensive maintenance plans for most of our services to ensure your electrical, plumbing, and home entertainment systems are always in optimal condition.

You can schedule a service appointment by contacting us through our website or by calling our customer service line. We offer flexible scheduling to accommodate your needs.

Laughlin is committed to providing premier services focused on quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction. Our highly skilled and certified professionals are fit to handle any job. By staying true to our commitment to quality, we promise to get the job done right the first time. While other companies may be concerned with securing as many jobs as possible in one day, our biggest goal is to provide excellent service to our clients.

Circuit breakers can last 30 to 40 years. However, if you are experiencing frequent issues with your breakers, it may be a sign that they need to be replaced sooner.

An overload is caused by too much power draw, which trips a breaker. If this becomes frequent, additional circuits can be added to your home to separate high-energy appliances and prevent overloads.

A short circuit occurs when aging wires become loose or worn, causing a hot wire to touch a neutral wire and disrupt the current’s path. If the appliance’s cord isn’t damaged, it is a sign that the cables behind the wall need maintenance.

A whole-house generator in Santa Barbara ensures that your home remains powered during outages caused by natural events like storms or earthquakes. It provides a higher wattage capacity to support all essential appliances and systems, offering seamless and automatic backup power. This means that when a power outage occurs, the generator detects the interruption and activates within seconds, restoring electricity to the entire house without manual intervention, which is particularly beneficial in areas prone to power disruptions.

Yes, {fran_brand_name provides comprehensive generator services for both portable and whole-house generators in Montecito, Goleta, and the surrounding Santa Barbara areas. Their experienced team can guide you through the selection process, manage the installation, and ensure that your generator is properly connected to your home's electrical system, including securing necessary permits and setting up an automatic transfer switch if required for whole-house generators.

Choosing between a portable generator and a whole-house generator for your Santa Barbara home depends on your specific needs and budget. If you require backup power for your entire home and want an automatic response to power outages, a whole-house generator is ideal. However, if you only need to power a few devices and prefer a more budget-friendly option, a portable generator might be sufficient. Laughlin Electric can provide personalized advice to help you make the best decision for your situation.

Choosing a local electrician should come down to more than availability or price. You're trusting someone with your home or property, so it's important to find a professional team that stands behind their work and values. Look for:

  • Licensing and certifications
  • Reputation
  • Approach
  • Transparency

These are standards we’ve focused on at Laughlin Electric for over 30 years.

Wiring fees can vary depending on the scope of work and whether you're wiring a new space or updating existing systems. At Laughlin Electric, we provide clear and detailed proposals so you know what to expect before any work begins.

Installation costs depend on the project's size and the type of equipment being installed. A new build or remodel with multiple circuits, lighting zones, and smart features will require more planning and labor than a simpler setup. We provide clear pricing with no hidden fees, so you know exactly what’s involved before work begins.

It depends on the issue. Some repairs are straightforward, like replacing a faulty outlet. Other jobs, such as diagnosing a breaker that keeps tripping or addressing panel problems, can take more time. We start by identifying the cause, then we’ll explain the fix and the cost before getting started.

Faulty wiring should always be handled by a licensed electrician. They’ll inspect the system, identify the cause, and make sure the repair is handled safely. At Laughlin Electric, we take the time to do the job right so the fix lasts.

A full electrical system check every 3 to 5 years is a good guideline. For older properties or homes with recent upgrades, more frequent inspections may be needed. Staying on top of maintenance keeps your electrical system safe, up to code, and running smoothly.

If you’ve noticed flickering lights or breakers that trip frequently, it’s best to have them inspected sooner.

Maintenance costs depend on the type of service needed. A routine cleaning is usually simple and less costly, while clearing buildup or tree roots in larger drain lines can take more time and may cost more.

At Laughlin Electric, we’ll assess the issue first, then walk you through the work and cost before we get started.

Yearly maintenance is usually enough for most homes. Regular maintenance can help prevent buildup, clogs, and pipe damage. If your system receives heavy use or has had previous issues, more frequent service may be necessary.

For small clogs, you can try using a plunger or a basic drain-cleaning tool. Avoid chemical cleaners, as they can damage your pipes over time and often don’t fully clear the blockage.

If the clog doesn’t clear, keeps returning, or affects more than one drain, call a licensed plumber. At Laughlin Electric, we’ll find the cause and fix the issue without the guesswork or risk of damage that can come with DIY fixes.

Servicing your water heater once a year is a good habit. It helps remove sediment, check for wear, and keep everything running efficiently. Regular maintenance also helps extend the unit's life and reduces the chance of unexpected breakdowns.

Start by checking the basics. Make sure the circuit breaker hasn’t tripped or, for gas units, that the pilot light is lit. If everything looks normal and you still don’t have hot water, the issue may be with the thermostat, heating element, or gas valve.

These repairs involve electricity, gas, and pressurized systems—all things that should be handled by a licensed plumber. At Laughlin Electric, we can quickly find the problem and get your hot water running again safely.

Replacement costs depend on the type of water heater, its size, and the installation requirements. A standard replacement is usually straightforward, but switching to a tankless system or changing fuel sources can increase the cost. At Laughlin Electric, we’ll review your setup and provide clear, upfront pricing.

Slow drains, foul odors, pooling water near the tank or drain field, and unusually lush grass in one area can all point to a full or failing septic tank. If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to have the system inspected right away.

Most septic tanks need to be pumped every 3 to 5 years. The exact timing depends on the size of the tank, how many people are in the home, and how the system is used. Regular pumping helps avoid backups, bad odors, and costly repairs.

With proper care, a septic system can last 20 to 30 years. Regular pumping, mindful water use, and avoiding grease and harsh chemicals in your drains can help extend the system’s lifespan.