Throughout time, most homes will experience leaks in their pipes. Plumbing issues aren’t uncommon. However, they never seem to get easier no matter how prepared you are.
The sooner you find a leak, the sooner it can be fixed. Then, the sooner you can go back to living your everyday life stress-free and without fear. To learn how to find water leaks in your pipes, keep reading this article!
How to Find Water Leaks
Water leaks are a common occurrence in many households. That is why it is so important that you know what to look for. Let’s talk about two different ways to effectively find water leaks.
Finding Water Leaks Without a Water Meter
Most of the time, people don’t find water leaks in their homes until it is too late. By then, the damage is already done. That is why you need to know about water leaks and what they entail. Look for the following things when trying to find leaks:
- Bad smells in or around your home
- Running water when household items aren’t being used
- Your water meter reading changing drastically
- Higher than usual water bills
- Wet spots on floor or walls without reason
These things need to be looked out for to ensure that your home doesn’t fall victim to water damage. If in doubt, check the obvious leak areas first such as toilets or faucets. If your toilet is leaking, you will hear a hissing sound in the tank which is your first indicator of a leak.
You can also use the food coloring test to determine this. You may notice mold, water stains, and disturbing material where water leaks are present.
Finding Water Leaks with a Water Meter
When searching for a water leak, your water meter can help you out. While it won’t help you identify the immediate leak, it can help you identify whether or not a leak is actually present. Detect leaks using your water meter with the following steps:
- Write down or take note of your current meter reading
- Avoid using water for 1-2 hours
- Take note of your water meter reading afterward to see if any water has been used
If you have succeeded in not using water in that timeframe but your meter has gone up, you have a leak on your hands. It could be coming from underground where you can’t detect it. Water leaks can be very hard to notice.
Similar Reads: The Benefits of Hiring Water Damage Restoration Services
How to Fix a Leak
If you have identified a leak or suspect you may have one, don’t try to fix it yourself. This always ends badly. You are better off getting a plumber out who can help you.
Plumbers use sophisticated leak detection technology which is far better than anything you could do at home. A plumber/pipe repair contractor will know how to detect your leak, fix it, and look for others that may be causing trouble.
The Bottom Line
At one time or another, you will have to deal with a water leak in your pipes. This is what makes it even more important to understand what you need to look out for.
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