A Leaky Faucet and Mold Growth

12/4/2022 (Permalink)

A Leaky Faucet and Mold Growth

The moment you notice a leaky faucet, it's always wise to turn off the water and call for help. But what about the other times when you don't see a leaky faucet? Is there still a chance that mold is growing under the sink or around your toilet? Yes! While leaks are the most common cause of mold growth in homes, they're not the only culprit. In this article we'll discuss how to identify possible sources of hidden moisture in your Fairway, KS home and prevent them from causing trouble down the road.

Identifying the Source

Look for leaks. The first thing to do is to check for leaks in the bathroom and kitchen. If there are noticeable drips coming from either of these areas, you may have a larger problem on your hands. The next step is to check for moldy or damp spots along the baseboards and walls. You should also look up at the ceiling or wall above your sink for any signs of water stains, which could indicate that there’s a leak in need of repair above it all.

Keep an eye on your water bill. Many homeowners don’t realize how much they actually use until they see how much their monthly bill has gone down after fixing a leaky faucet—and this can be an indicator that there are other problems going on behind-the-scenes (i.e., hidden leaks).

Mold Under Sink

Mold grows in dark, damp places. You can find mold almost anywhere you look, but it thrives best on surfaces that are warm and wet. You might think that a leaking faucet would be an ideal place for mold to grow—after all, it’s both mostly dark and consistently damp. But most of the time, even with a leaky faucet, your sink won’t develop any visible traces of mold because there isn’t enough moisture to support its growth.

Mold Around the Toilet

Mold can grow in the toilet bowl. If you spot mold growing on the inside of your toilet, it’s likely that you have a leak somewhere in your plumbing. The water from the toilet is not connected to the rest of the plumbing, so it’s a good place to check for leaks.

If you suspect there might be mold or mildew in your toilet bowl, here are some ways to check for leaks:

• Check for stains around where water drains into your pipes. If there are stains, they could indicate moisture problems; if there aren't any stains and everything looks dry but still smells musty or damp after flushing (or when no one has flushed at all), it's possible there's something amiss with your pipes that causes a build-up of excess moisture near where they meet up with other parts of your home (such as walls). This is especially common if someone uses their bathtub regularly since taking baths can cause extra humidity levels throughout their bathroom space—which may then cause molds/fungi growth on surfaces like painted walls near where water drains into pipe systems below them!
• Check behind toilets themselves by sticking an old toothbrush into drain holes located inside each corner (near bottom edges) so that bristles reach underneath the surface area.

How to Prevent Mold Growth

If you’re worried about mold growth due to a leaking faucet, you should keep in mind that there are steps you can take to prevent it:

• Install a water leak detector
• Use a dehumidifier
• Use a fan to dry up the area

Install a Water Leak Detector

If your water bill has been unusually high lately, or if you have a leak in your home, it is important to install a water leak detector. This device monitors the flow of water through all of your pipes and can detect when there is leakage. There are several types out on the market that vary in price and features, but they all work by being placed directly over the pipe where you suspect there might be an issue. If one detects any leaks or problems with your plumbing then it will alert you by sending text messages or emails as well as flashing an LED light on its faceplate which makes for easy detection if it's dark outside (or if someone else isn't paying attention!). You should also check this device regularly; checking it once every week or two should do the trick.

If your detector finds that there is indeed a problem somewhere within your home's internal plumbing system then don't worry--you'll know exactly where to go from there! Simply call up a plumber who specializes in fixing such issues, explain what happened, and ask them for help. 

If you are concerned that your faucet might be leaking, contact a professional plumber. It’s important to know that mold can also grow in other areas of your home. If you have any questions about dealing with a water-damaged home or business, please feel free to call SERVPRO of Kansas City Midtown today!