6 Ways to Find Hidden Water Leaks in Your Home
There are various ways to find hidden water leaks in your home. By detecting water leaks early on, you can avoid high costs & avert potential disasters. Follow along with Joe the Plumber to learn about the signs that will help you discover hidden water leaks. If you are experiencing any leaks, be sure to contact a plumbing company to help repair the water leaks in your home.
Take a look at the water meter
Checking the water meter is a great way to discover water leaks in your plumbing. First, make sure all faucets and running water are completely turned off. Then study the water meter and be on the lookout for any changes. If the water meter starts to change, then you may have a fast-moving water leak.
But if the water meter does not change immediately, then you’ll want to check back in 2 hours. When the meter changes even though all your water is turned off, this could mean that you are dealing with a slower leak. The water leak may be anywhere after the water meter and even underground. It’s important to remember that piping after the water meter is the homeowner’s responsibility.
Check your water usage
It is recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency to check water usage during the winter to see if leaks are happening anywhere in the home. When a family of 4 uses over 12k gallons of water a month, a serious water leak issue in the plumbing system is probable.
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Monitor your water bill
A leak may be to blame when your water bill continues to rise but your habits have not changed. If this is the case, we encourage you to collect and review past water bills and compare them to one another. If your bill continues to increase, a leak may be the problem.
Your bill should stay within the same range each month. It is important to remember that your home may have pipes underground so leak detection in this part of your plumbing system may be more difficult to discover. Consider hiring a plumbing company to thoroughly check all the pipes in your home.
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The food colorist test
Toilets account for about 30% of water usage in the home. This is why its important to make sure they are running properly. You can test for leaks by adding 3 drops of food coloring into the tank. Wait about ten minutes and if the color appears in the toilet bowl then there is a leak that allows water to flow from the toilet tank to the drain without having to flush.
Outdoor leaks
Water leaks are not only happening inside the home. In fact, leaks can also occur on the exterior as well so its important to check your spigots. You can do so by taking a garden hose and attaching it to see if water will seep through the connection when the hose is on.
You will need to replace your rubber hose gasket & make sure all the connections are tight and secure. We recommend hiring a plumber to check the irrigation system, annually. Any system with the smallest leak can waste up to 6.3k gallons of water each month.
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Check your plumbing
Check under basins and in the back of your cabinets for mold or strange smells. You should do so regularly to make sure no leaks are taking place. Catching leaks and hiring a plumber early on can save you thousands of dollars in repairs. Plumbers will inspect your home and check for potential problems as well as leaks.
If your home is 25 years or older, your plumbing may be on the declining side of its life span. Hire a plumber to inspect accessible connections at the water heater, pumps, valves for oxidation or discoloration, and washing machine hoses – clear signs of a slow leak
Hire A Plumber To Fix Water Leaks In Your Home
If you believe to have a leak in your home, contact a plumbing professional to make the necessary repairs, immediately. Do not wait until the problem gets worse! Joe the Plumber is available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Call us today to speak with an expert. 281-306-5138
