5 Tips On Finding Hidden Water Leaks Around Your Home

Finding a water leak early in your home is key to limiting the amount of damage and money you have to pay to fix the issues. When left undetected and unrepaired, the potential for disaster can become significant. Below are some tips on finding a potential water leak that would deem calling a reputable plumber for help.

1. Monitor Water Meter

A great way to determine if your pipes are leaking water somewhere in your home undetected is to monitor your water meter. To do this, turn off all of the water to your home. Make sure all faucets and water-based appliances are shut off and not receiving water pressure. Watch the meter for a couple of hours to see if the meter moves at all. If so, you may have a leak.

2. Look At Water Bill

If you notice the bill for your water usage is continuing to go up each month despite your family using the same amount, there may be a leak in your plumbing to blame. With the cost of water, a normal family unit should use about the same amount of water each month. The bill should consistently reflect this and not rise sharply. If you notice a significant rise in your water bill and no reasons to back it up, call a plumber.

3. Try Food Coloring Trick

Flushing your toilets can add up to almost 30% of your water usage each month. Because of this, it is important to maintain them and make sure they are always working properly. To test your toilets for leaks, get a bottle of food coloring. Put a few drops in the back of your tank and wait around 10 minutes for it to mix in. If the color ends up filtering into your toilet bowl, you have a leak.

4. Check Outside

Leaks don’t only happen inside your home. Many leaks outside can go undetected for long periods. Check your spigots for leaks by attaching a garden hose and seeing if water seeps out through the connection. If you have an irrigation system in your yard, have a professional plumber regularly check the system for leaks. Even small leaks can add up to thousands of gallons wasted each month. For more information, please visit www.caldwellplumbing.ca to find additional resources.

5. Use Your Common Sense

As a homeowner, it makes good sense to regularly check for signs of leaks. Look under your sinks and your basins for foul smells and signs of mold.

The older your plumbing system becomes, the higher the chance you will end up with a leak. It is important to get any leaks or signs of leaks checked out by a professional as soon as possible to limit the amount of damage caused.