It can be very difficult to locate the source of a
water leak in your home. It may take a long time to pinpoint the exact location, and many people choose to hire a plumber to save time and money. If you’re determined to try and find the leak yourself, you will need no special tools, but you will need plenty of time.
The First Steps
The first thing that you will need to do is shut off the water main that’s supplying your home. Take a look at the water meter, is it still spinning? If the water meter has stopped spinning, then the water leak is located somewhere in your home. If the water meter is still spinning, it means that the leak is somewhere along the length of the water line coming into the home. This will help you to narrow down your search, but you will need to consider the location of the leak when looking for its source. Use these following tips to when you’re trying to locate the source.
Toilets
A water leak can develop around the toilet if it’s toilet ring seal requires replacement. To check this open up the lid at the back of the toilet and check the bowl to see if water is running or dripping into the bowl. If these are fine and you can still hear dripping water the ring seal may need to be replaced.
Hot Water Heaters
Hot water heaters can leak at their pressure release valves and this can be easy to miss. Check at the base of the hot water heater for wet patches and then touch the pressure release valve for signs of moisture.
Exterior Leaks
A water leak can occur outside your home, and this will usually occur underground. Take a look at your yard, are some areas greener than others or have faster plant growth? This is a sure sign that the water leak is located outside somewhere in that area. This can also occur if you have a leaking septic system that has a drain field.
Sinks
Dripping faucets are fairly easy to spot and fix, but there could be other water leaks lurking out of sight. Check under the sink and look out for any signs that the pipes may be leaking. A smaller water leak could be undetected for a long time, so take a look at the pipes when you clean under sinks.
Tubs and Showers
Looking for a leak in a tub or shower can be very difficult because the pipes are usually located out of side behind a wall. Some homes have an access panel located on the opposite side of the wall from the tub or shower. This panel can be removed easily to check the pipes for leaks and carry out maintenance.
If you’ve narrowed down or pinpointed the location of the leak, it’s a good idea to contact a local professional plumber to fix the leak. If you cannot find the leak, a
plumber will have the necessary experience to find it and fix it for you 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.
