It’s important to know the early signs of a water leak, so you can take action to fix it before it becomes a bigger problem. If you suspect you have a water leak, it’s important to check all the faucets and pipes in your home. You might hear a dripping sound or see water coming out from under a sink or from a pipe in your walls.
However, sometimes the source of leaks isn’t too visible, or it can be too late when you discover where they are coming from. Here, we’ll show you several ways you can check for leaks in your home.
1) Check the Toilet
If you think your toilet may be the cause of a leak, there are a couple of ways you can check. One way is to remove the lid from the back of the tank and listen for any hissing noises. If you hear a hissing noise, it’s likely coming from the leak.
Another way to check for leaks is to add some food coloring to the tank. After waiting a little while, see if the color has spread into the bowl. If it has, then your toilet is likely leaking. The flapper is another common cause of toilet leaks.
2) Be Mindful of Plumbing Usage
If you have a lot of people in your household using the plumbing fixtures at the same time, it can put a strain on your pipes and cause them to leak. So, it’s important to be mindful of how much water you’re using and spread out your usage throughout the day.
3) Know All the Leak Points
Your home has a lot of possible leak points. There’s the water heater, washing machine, dishwasher, faucets, toilets, and showerheads. Any of these can leak and cause a major problem.
Leaks can come from a number of places, but most often they’re caused by worn-out washers under handles. If you have the right tools and know-how, this is an easy problem to fix. If not, it’s best to call a professional plumber. You can also check for wet, soft spots in your yard or leaks from your hoses and sprinkler system.
4) Keep Track of the Meter
If there’s no water running in your home and the water meter reading doesn’t change, then you don’t have a water leak. The needle on the meter indicates how fast the leak is moving. If it is moving within the hour, it is a fast-moving leak and you should call a plumber right away.
If it is not moving, wait two hours and take another reading. If the needle has moved at all, it means you have a slow-moving leak.
5) Take a Look at Your Hot Water Tank
If you think your hot water heater may be leaking, there are a few things you can check. First, look at the pressure release valve and the bottom of the tank for any signs of water.
You can also listen closely for any hissing sounds coming from the drain, which would indicate a leak. If you think there may be a leak, it’s best to call a professional plumber.
Conclusion
If you think there may be a water leak in your home, the first thing to do is check all of your faucets and appliances to make sure they’re turned off. Next, check all of the exposed pipes in your home for leaks. If there are any leaks, you should call a professional plumber right away.
If you believe you may have any leaks, call Professor Plumb. We offer plumbing repair to help you take care of any water issues you may be facing. Contact us today to get started.