A leak in your plumbing may seem small, but it can cause major water damage. Finding the source of a plumbing leak is crucial if you suspect one in your house.
Early detection of water leaks can avoid potential disasters and save you money. We provide these tips to assist you in locating a plumbing leak.
If you suspect your home has a water leak, call Leaks R Us immediately to fix the issue.
How to detect a water leak in your home
Water meter test
One way to find hidden water leaks is to perform a water meter test. Turn off all the faucets in your home and check the water meter. If the meter is still moving, you have a water leak.
Although you may not see a change right away in the water meter reading, check again after a couple of hours and compare the readings. If the water meter has moved, you may have a slow-moving leak.
Listen for running water
If you cannot see any clear signs of a water leak, you can listen for running water. Water leaks can sometimes be heard through floors or walls.
Check your toilet for leaks
To check if water is leaking from your toilets, drop a small amount of food colouring into the tank overnight. If you find colour in the bowl by morning without using the toilet, it indicates a leaky toilet.
Check hidden pipes
Besides the pipes fixed underground, you may have plumbing pipes hidden behind concrete slabs, walls, basements, or ceilings. It is not always simple to identify a water leak from a hidden pipe, but it can be done.
Start with the metre test discussed above. After the test, check for areas that have mould or mildew on walls, floors, or ceilings. These are signs of a plumbing leak in hidden pipes.
A professional plumbing company can also use modern technology to detect the sounds of water leaking underground.
Schedule regular checks
Make it a habit of regularly checking under sinks and in the back of cabinets for signs of mould or a foul smell, which would point to a plumbing leak. Timely intervention can save you thousands in water damage and repairs. Let a professional plumber annually check your home for potential leaks or issues.
If your home is over twenty-five years old, be extra cautious because your plumbing system could be nearing the end of its lifespan. Check all accessible connections at the heaters, water pumps, washing machine valves, and hoses for oxidation or discolouration. These are clear signs of a slow leak.
Check your big appliances
Examine the upper part of your water heater at the point where water enters and leaves the tank. Heaters generally fail at these spots because the tubes going into and out of the tank are susceptible to high pressure.
Assess the pressure relief valve near the tank. Older valves may occasionally leak, and they should be replaced when they show wear and tear.