Leak Detection
The first sign that you may have a water leak is a bill that’s higher than normal. Water leaks can occur anywhere, and they may not always be easy to find. If you notice water flowing where it shouldn’t be or your water bills mysteriously rising, it may be time to call a plumber to perform a leak detection job.
The cause of a leak may be hard to determine, and fixing the issue may not be as simple as a patch job. Here are some common areas in your home where leaks may sprout and how you can help identify them.
Toilet
Toilets do a lot of work every day, and as a
Something as simple as a toilet tank with a flapper that doesn’t close all the way can cost a small fortune over time, wasting thousands of gallons of water in as little as a month.
Times are tough and money is tight, so any wasted water is too much. And if you’re someone whose home uses a well, that leaky toilet equals higher power bills.
Luckily, toilet leaks are easy to identify and are typically accompanied by the noise of running water. If you notice yourself having to jiggle the handle to stop your tank from filling, flush multiple times, or if you’re hearing running water when you shouldn’t, it’s time to get your toilet fixed before your monthly bills take a hit.
Showerhead and Faucet
When you turn your faucet off, the water should stop flowing, right? Well,
Showers and sinks that leak even tiny amounts of water can waste gallons over time. If you notice yourself having to over-tighten the faucet in order to stop the dripping, it isn’t working the way it should.
Faucet and showerhead leaks are typically easy to detect and fix during a routine plumbing maintenance call. Normal use of faucets and showers can cause these issues over time, but it’s still good to solve them early if you’re interested in saving water and money.
Waterline Leak Detection
Waterline leaks are those that occur wherever water flows in pipes behind walls, under the floorboards, and sometimes. If you notice a pipe leaking or mysterious water flowing from your wall or floorboards, that’s a sign of a problem.
However, most line leaks won’t be that easy to spot. Detecting leaks in unseen pipes is not easy and will require an experienced professional to properly identify.
Leaks in pipes that aren’t easily visible may require the use of specialized equipment for detecting leaks. If a leak is found, the pipes will need to be covered or bypassed in order to be repaired.
There may be symptoms of hidden line leaks that you can see (i.e. flooding in your yard), but many times the only indication that there’s a problem will come from higher water bills.
It’s also a wise idea to pay attention to your water pressure; a sudden or gradual change in water pressure can also be an indication that things aren’t flowing so well or that you have a leak.
Because of the complex and insidious nature of waterline leaks, a professional plumber is the only person who should be trusted to diagnose and solve these problems.
Repairing and replacing damaged pipes inside your walls and under the surface isn’t a do-it-yourself task since you could end up making mistakes that will cost you a fortune. Always hire a professional.
Pay attention to what the water in your home is telling you. Keep an eye on your utility bills and water pressure, and keep your ears open for any strange noises.
Be diligent when it comes to your
The best way to stop leaks is to seal them before they happen. Annual plumbing maintenance is recommended so that problems can be solved before the first drip.
