One of the most common – and annoying – plumbing problems is a silent or invisible Water Leak – even worse if it’s both. Not only can an unchecked leak waste thousands of gallons of water per year and add 10% to your water bill, it can bring about unhealthy mold growth and costly home structural problems.
While some water leaks require a professional plumber to factually determine and locate, there are several DIY steps you can take to help your own cause. And with some investigative know-how, you can isolate potentially costly and wasteful leaks in your home and be on your way to correcting them.
- If you even suspect a hidden water leak, locate your water meter and jot down the reading. Or, take a photo of it with your smart phone.
- Then, cease using any water in your home for at least 2 hours.
- Once the 2 hours have passed, re-check your water meter. Compare the reading to the one you already recorded. If there is any change, you have a confirmed water leak.
- Another way to spot a water leak is to point a flashlight at crawlspace or basement pipes to find evidence of a leak. That inspection should include washing machine hoses and connections.
- Look for water around your water heater, including connecting hoses.
- Head upstairs and inspect all sink, shower, and bath fixtures, including under-cabinet plumbing.
- Remove toilet tank lids and check for water dripping into the overflow tube or out of the fill valve. Also, be alert to “ghost flushes” – the sound of a toilet flushing when it really isn’t.
- Take note of any unexplained water stains or mold growth on ceilings, walls, and floors.
- Keep an eye out for patches of lawn that are lush green when the rest of your lawn isn’t in such good shape. That indicates a leak in an underground sewer pipe.
- If you feel a wet or damp spot on a basement carpet or flooring, you might have a slab leak to contend with.
Wherever they might be, or wherever you think they might be, water leaks should be tended to as quickly as possible to minimize damage to your home and valuable possessions. For the professional help you need to locate and repair water pipe leaks – hidden or otherwise – contact Eagle Service Company today.
