A plumbing leak can be tricky to locate; over time, even the smallest water drip can cause a great deal of damage, and water damage is expensive to repair. For this reason, it’s a great idea to locate a plumbing leak and fix it quickly, but how can you locate the source of the water leak?
- Inspect Your Water Bill
Many people don’t pay close enough attention to their utility bills, but they can tell you a lot about what is really going on inside your home. If you notice that your water bill is going up and there have been no major changes in your home you may have a water leak. But, before you suspect a water leak, it’s essential to realize that most homes will use more water in the hotter summer months and if someone has come to live with you, the water usage will increase. An increase in water use can also be caused by aging water using appliances that are not as efficient as they used to be. If you suspect that you have a plumbing leak, you can confirm that by following the next two tips or you could contact your local certified plumber and ask them to evaluate your home plumbing system.
- Check Your Water Meter
Now, if you want to check your water meter, it’s crucial to understand that this can be a lengthy process, but you will find out a lot about your plumbing system. First, shut off the water supply so that you can make more accurate meter readings. Ensure that every faucet is shut and turn off every water using appliance in the home. The locate your water meter, take a reading, and make a note of it. Then leave the home plumbing system off and return an hour later and make another meter reading. If the indicator has moved, then you have a plumbing leak lurking somewhere in your home. You will also know how much water you’re losing each hour and this can easily be extrapolated to discover how much you’re losing in a day, week, and month. The faster the water meter moves, the larger the water leak or you may even have multiple plumbing leaks.
- Examine Your Plumbing System
You don’t need to be a
certified plumber to locate a water leak if you know what to look out for. Take a look under every sink in your home, are there any puddles of water or damp patches that could have been caused by a plumbing leak? Close your faucets and plug the drain hole in sinks and baths, if water has dripped the seals in the taps may have failed and they need to be replaced. Check around the laundry room, are there any leaks under the washing machine or damp patches? Don’t forget outside, water leaks from sprinklers and hoses can waste a great deal of water too. If you notice any signs that you have a plumbing leak contact your local certified plumber to track down the source of the leak and fix it quickly.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solution.
