Sometimes it’s an unexplained dripping sound. Or the sudden Water Leak in Birmingham appearance of mold on the wall or ceiling. Or maybe you notice that your water bill is slightly higher than normal for no apparent reason. Whatever the symptom, the cause is pretty clear. You have a hidden water leak somewhere in your home.
If left unchecked, a water leak can waste 2,000 to 20,000 gallons of water a year. Not to mention that a pesky little leak could turn into a messy situation and costly repair over time.
So what’s a homeowner to do? The first step is to locate the source of the leak. Easy to do if you see a faucet dripping or hear your toilet running long after it’s been flushed. But a silent or hidden leak is more difficult to detect.
Follow these steps to locate that phantom leak if you suspect there might be one.
- Turn off the water supply to your home, and grab a pen, paper, and flashlight. If the water is turned off, no water should be moving through the pipes.
- Walk through your house and carefully inspect all fixtures, toilets, and under-cabinet pipes while looking for obvious signs of water.
- Inspect walls, ceilings, cabinets, floors, and rugs for moisture and mold.
- Examine any visible and accessible pipes in your basement or crawlspace.
- Check washing machine hoses and fittings for signs of water.
- Inspect your hot water heater for puddles of water near the base or the sound of water running through connecting hoses.
Once you’ve isolated the cause of the leak, it’s important to tend to it right away to prevent further waste and damage. Some leaks are fairly easy to fix, while others might require a professional. For example, if you suspect a toilet leak, remove the tank lid and look for water dripping into the overflow tube. If it is, try adjusting the height of the float. If you notice water dripping out of the fill valve, you might need to tighten a screw or replace the valve.
At Bruce Solomon Plumbing, Heating & AC, we have the skill and equipment to track down and repair even the most elusive of water leaks. And that’s just one of the many home plumbing services we offer. Contact us today for the service you need for more comfortable and convenient indoor living conditions.
