One common problem that will eventually arise in a tiny home is unexpected leaks. Some are relatively harmless, like occasional dripping rainwater from the rooftop to the attic. 

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However, there could be some leaks and spillages that may cause significant property damage—and even human health issues—if left unaddressed.

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In this article, we’ll list down some practical strategies to help you maintain a safe and pleasant living environment, free from leaks and spillages. 

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Read on to know what to do with these leakages and spills.

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Identify The Leak Source

The first thing you have to do when handling a leak is to figure out its source.

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If you’ve spilled a dangerous chemical like hydrochloric acid or drain cleaners on the carpet, then you’re already one step ahead of people who can’t identify the leak source.

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However, if you’re unable to identify where a leak is coming from, but noticed its presence through puddles around your house or constant dripping, then you’ll need to immediately address it to minimise damage.

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Start by turning off your water meter and reviewing the reading a few hours later to see if there are any discrepancies. If the water level is not zero, then that proves that there’s a leak.

Inspect areas around the house that may expel water. That includes your faucets, toilets, and sinks. Furthermore, cracks around the house and roofing may also contribute to water pooling and leaking into your foundation.

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Once you’ve found the source, that’s ideal as you’ve found the area you should focus on. 

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If your water bill is high but there is no internal leaking in the house, chances are that your piping might be the problem. 

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However, you shouldn’t only rely on sight when identifying potential leak sources. Listen for running or hissing water noises inside the walls. If there’s one, then you may be dealing with a plumbing issue that requires professional assistance.

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Shut Down The Water Supply

If the leaking problem has been identified as a plumbing problem, then you should shut off the water supply immediately. You can kill a leak by tightening a valve underneath the water source, which is often present in toilets and sinks. 

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But if that doesn’t work, if the valve is the cause of the problem due to being worn out, or if the plumbing problem is an internal piping issue, then you may have to shut off the main water supply. 

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Locate the shut-off valve then crank the gate valve clockwise until it’s fully shut-off. However, if it’s a lever valve, then lever a quarter turn to keep it perpendicular to the pipe.

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Keep the water supply off until you’ve fixed the leak. You can turn it on every now and again to check if the repair work has been successful. If not, then turn it off again and deal with the issue until it’s fully resolved.

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Contain Spillages With The Appropriate Materials

Regardless of whether your problem is because of plumbing issues, structural issues, or plain old clumsiness, you’ll need to deal with the leakage and spillages in your building.

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For water and harmless liquids, it can be as simple as getting a mop, a towel, or an absorbent pad to soak the spilled water. You may also have to wipe the spilled area down with a soapy mixture to remove any odours.

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For more hazardous materials like drain cleaners, hydrochloric acids, and other hazardous chemicals, then you’ll need to contain them appropriately. For an all-in-one solution, you can use a spill kit like universal spill kits to contain and manage these hazardous goods.

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Furthermore, these harmful spillages need to be disposed of appropriately, as mixing them with general waste can cause major environmental damage. The aforementioned spill kit comes with disposal bags you can use to contain the spilled chemicals as well as absorbent pads to soak them.

Fix The Source of The Problem

If the leakages are due to faulty plumbing, then you’ll need to nip the problem in the bud. This entails identifying the source of the issue (like a broken pipe or a faulty valve) and then addressing the problem appropriately.

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For instance, if your toilet is clogged and leaks every time you flush, you can use a plunger to alleviate the drainage problem. More severe buildups may require you to use a plumbing snake to clear blockages.

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If the leak is due to bad piping, low water pressure, or water backups, it’s in your best interest to consult a professional plumber. They are expertly trained to deal with plumbing issues and have the best resources available to ensure that your pipes can return to working order.

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If the leak is due to structural issues like a damaged foundation or cracked walls, you may need to get sealing work done to deal with the damaged walls. 

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In some cases, the leak may have already caused some interior damage, so it’s important to talk with a structural engineer to ensure that your property is still safe enough to live in.

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Prioritise Health and Safety

Some spillages require instant or near-immediate sanitisation, as leaving them exposed on the floor of a small, enclosed space like a tiny home can be highly detrimental to one’s health.

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For instance, inhaling the toxic fumes emitted by acids can lead to serious respiratory issues. Some moisture can also be indicative of moulds within the building, which can lead to lung irritation and other foul symptoms.

As such, it’s important to immediately address the spillage in a smart and safe manner. Use protective gear like gloves when dealing with acidic chemicals. Store these chemicals in the proper storage container in the first place to mitigate risks. Ventilate the room as soon as hazardous chemicals have spilled on the floor.

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For spillages that require extensive clean-up, you may need to contact professional cleaners to get the job done and dispose of the hazardous goods appropriately. By doing so, you can keep yourself safe and face little to no exposure to the dangerous compound, keeping you and your family safe in the process.

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Create a Spill-Free Environment

One way of doing that is installing a leak detection device. This device is meant to be installed in areas that may leak, such as below water heaters and sinks, and set off an alarm when high moisture levels are detected.

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These detection devices not only have notification capabilities but in some cases, they can also be installed in a way to shut off the water supply once they reach a certain moisture level in the atmosphere, minimising further damage.

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These devices, alongside upholding positive habits, can help keep your tiny home leak-free in the long run, enabling you to live with peace of mind knowing that your plumbing won’t give out and soak all your items.

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Best of luck maintaining your tiny home!