Water leaks in your rental
When it comes to repairs in a rental, water leaks are one of the most common issues that need attention.
And it’s important to get to the source of the problem quickly as an ongoing water leak can lead to a whole host of further issues including wall, floor and ceiling damage along with wood rot, termites, and mould.
So how do you get to the bottom of a water leak and what should you do if you suspect there’s one in your rental home?
Signs of a water leak
The thing about water leaks is they don’t necessarily reveal themselves instantly.
Sure, in some cases, you might see water leaking from the ceiling or observe a pool of water on a floor.
But more often than not, the first anyone knows of a leak is the appearance of mould, discolouration or plaster that is sagging and warping.
It’s at this stage that the detective work begins, working out exactly where this leak is emanating from.
The usual suspects
As challenging as it might be to catch a water leak in the act, in reality there are some usual suspects.
They include:
A roof leak – Evident via actual dripping in heavy rain, or the appearance of mould on the ceiling plaster, they are common in places where the roof might have something affixed to it, such as a shade sail anchor or aerial.
Pipe/tap leak – These are often quite easy to spot, but the water may pool somewhere quite different to the point of origin. Pipe or tap leaks might present themselves as pools of water beneath a sink, or swelling in kitchen and bathroom kickboards and cabinetry.
Backed up gutters – It’s a good idea to have rental property gutters cleaned at least once a year as build up of leaf litter can lead to backed up gutters, which causes water to flow back into the roof cavity and ceiling.
Signs of backed up gutters include mould or plaster warping near the exterior walls of the property.
Ingress – In this instance water is flowing from the exterior of the property to the interior, and the first sign is usually puddles outside the home and pooling on the internal floors of the property.
Prevention includes ensuring there is sufficient exterior drainage, and that the topography allows water to drain away from the home.
If you notice a leak
If you see any signs of water leaks at your rental property, it’s important to notify the property manager as soon as possible.
Even small leaks can create much larger problems if they’re not dealt with immediately, and as a renter you have an obligation to report maintenance issues, including leaks when they occur.
How we can help
Our experienced property managers pride themselves on establishing great relationships with both rental occupiers and owners.
We manage every property as if it were our own and you can learn more about our property management services here.
Alternatively, if you are looking to rent a property, you can view the properties we currently have available here.
