Water leaks can be hard to find in your home, yet they can be so common. We rely on water every day in our home, which is why a leak can cause big problems. By detecting them early, you can save money and further damage, getting the problem fixed as soon as possible. Here are 5 tips to help you detect a water leak in your home, so you can contact a plumber straight away and get the issue sorted.
Check your water meter
Many people underestimate the value of the water meter in their home. It can be one of the best ways to tell if you have a leak early on, so you can get on top of it before issues start arising. Start by turning off all the water in your home: taps, washing machine, dishwasher, etc. Now take a look at the meter – if it’s still changing with everything turned off, it’s likely you have a fast-flowing leak that you need to get on top of straight away. If nothing changes, then leave your meter for an hour or two and come back to it. Did it change in this time? It’s likely you have a slower leak, which isn’t as urgent but still handy to get fixed so it doesn’t become a bigger problem.
Keep an eye on your bill
Another good way to detect a leak in your home is by keeping an eye on your water bill. It helps if you have a past bill from the same period of time. You can compare like for like and determine whether your water usage has increased significantly. If it has, there may be a leak in your system that you haven’t picked up before. A professional plumber can check through all of your pipes and determine where it is coming from.
Look for damage
If you have a leak inside your home, you will notice damage over time. Take a look at your showers and bathtubs and note whether any of the tiles surrounding the area seem to be discoloured or damaged in any way. There may be water stains, mould or peeling material that has resulted from a build up of moisture over time. Make sure you take a look under sinks at the back of cupboards that don’t get accessed regularly. This is where damage can go unnoticed and build up over periods of time.
Check outside your home
Leaks don’t just occur in the home. Head outside and check your taps there as well. You can start by connecting a hose and seeing whether a leak occurs when you turn it on. It can help to replace the gasket and tighten everything and try again. If water is still seeping through, it’s a good idea to have it looked at to see what the issue is before it turns into a bigger problem. It can also help to check if the grass near your outside piping is growing much faster, as this can indicate a leak that is feeding into the grass and helping it grow.
Try a dye test
If you haven’t noticed any external damage to your fixtures, but still think there is something going on, you can always try the dye test. Grab some food colouring (any colour works!) and put a few drops into the toilet water tank of every toilet in your home. If the toilet is leaking, you will see dye in the toilet bowl in minutes. This is a sure sign you have a leak and should call the plumber in to take a look at it.
It’s never a great idea to try a DIY fix it job when it comes to a significant issue like a water leak. Instead, you want to get a plumber on the phone straight away so they can come out and investigate the issue further for you. Finding a leak early on can save you plenty of time and money in the long run. The experts at Aus Test Pipline Solutions have a trained eye when it comes to detecting leaks and solving them. For a free quote get in touch with them today and don’t let a small problem turn into a big one.