How to Detect Water Leaks in Your Home

A simple water leak can become a major plumbing problem. Of course, it’s important to mention is can become a costly plumbing problem too. Early detection of a pipe leak can save a homeowner money and prevent potential disaster. There are many ways to detect a water leak such as a videoleak camera. Here are some ways to find these nasty, hidden water leaks.

Check the Home’s Water Meter

Many homeowners may not know this but checking the water meter is one of the best ways to detect water leaks. Why? A homeowner will typically know the amount of water used each month. When that amount increases, but the same amount of water is being used, then there’s a hidden water leak somewhere in the house.

To check the water meter, the first step is to shut off the water in the house. This includes dishwashers, faucets and washing machines. The next thing to do is watch the water meter. Does it change? If so, there’s a fast-moving water leak in the home.

If the meter doesn’t increase immediately, wait a couple of hours before checking the meter again. This means the water remains shut off during this time. If the meter changes, there’s a leak. However, it could be a slow dripping water leak. The water leak could be underground or inside the home.

Be careful before turning the water back on in the home. The water must be turned on slowly. Any change in water pressure can cause the plumbing valves to leak depending on the age of the system. Thus, it’s important not to cause a water leak while trying to detect any water leaks in the home.

Look at Water Usage in the Home

We mentioned this earlier, but it is vital to mention again. Always check the water usage to determine if there’s a leak water during the colder months. For example, a family of four uses more than 13,000 each month, there could be a water leak in the home.

Check the water bill to determine if it is rising while the family uses the same amount of water each billing cycle. A homeowner’s water bills should remain close to the same level each billing cycle. If a homeowner notices the sound of water running inside the walls or a warm spot under the floor that has slab piping, contact a licensed plumber immediately.

Test the Toilets for Water Leaks

There is always a good chance that one or more of the toilets in the home is the cause of the water leaks. To determine if a toilet is the problem, grab some food coloring. Place about three drops in the toilet’s tank. Wait approximately 10 minutes. Look for the food coloring in the toilet bowl. If there is food coloring, this means that a water leak is flowing from the tank into the drain without anyone flushing the toilet.

Check the Exterior of the Home for Water Leaks

Before calling a plumber to fix a leak, it’s important to check the exterior of the home for any additional leaks. Water leaks don’t just occur inside the house. They develop outside the home too. It could be in the garden hose connection, outside faucet or in the yard.

For example, a soggy spot in the yard could be a sign of a water leak. A wet sidewalk is another side there is a water leak outside the home. The problem could be the main water service to the home. Another issue could be the house’s irrigation system. If these are the reasons for outside water leaks, contact a professional, licensed plumber immediately.

Conduct Basic Checks Around the Home

If a homeowner isn’t doing so now, they should start regularly checking around the house for water leaks. This means looking in the under the basins and in the back of cabinets for any signs of water leaking. It’s important to look for foul smells and signs of mold. Both are a sign of water leaks in the house. When this is regularly done, leaks can be detected fairly quickly.

What to Do if There’s a Water Leak in the Home?

If a homeowner finds a significant water leak, it’s important to shut off the water in the home when it’s not needed. These times are often at night or when everyone is out of the home. This is done to conserve water. The most important step is to contact a licensed plumber to resolve the problem.