When it comes down to it, water leaks are a very common, and recurring problem faced by homeowners and commercial property owners, already struggling to make ends meet. Considering so many areas of our homes require the use of water, there are many pipes running throughout the inside structure, and outside underground, to provide us with the everyday luxuries we’ve all grown used to.
Bathrooms, ensuites, showers, toilets, dishwashers, basins and washing machines; all of them need water flowing in, and back out through a series of pipe systems that can burst at any moment.
Check Your Water Leak To Prevent Further Damage
In a case of ‘Out of sight, out of mind’ though, water pipes are left unchecked for years, (even when buildings were constructed in the 1900’s) often leading to small cracks forming, leaks developing, and eventually partial flooding of your house or yard. These leaks can lead to serious structural damage and, can also be the cause for medical illnesses due to the growth of toxic mould and mildew. The sooner your burst pipe or leak is found, the sooner it can be repaired and cease destroying your home and the health of you, and your family.
If you have any doubts about your burst water pipe detecting skills, the best course of action is to contact an experienced leak detection company who will find the leak for you, using the safest and quickest methods possible. The question is though, how do you know if you have a burst water pipe, and how good are your home water leak detection skills?
Today we’re going to discuss the ways in which you can find a burst water pipe on your property, using the (sometimes-subtle) signs of a leak.
Water Meter Reading Test
To test if you do have a leak hidden on your property you can conduct a water meter reading test. Locate the water meter on your property and shut it off completely, noting down the figure as you do. Leave the water off for 1-2 hours before checking on the meter once more. If the numbers have increased while the water was off, you have a water leak.
Check Your Water Bill
Your water bill can be the first sign of a troubling water leak so keep an eye on any changes over the billing period. Any increases that can’t be accounted for, are usually an indication of a burst water pipe on your property.
Damp Patches Outside Or Inside
If there is a particularly damp patch in your grass or garden bed that simply won’t dry up, it could be a sign of an external underground leak and should be tended to as soon as possible. Inside you may notice an area on your carpet, or behind your furniture that is slightly damp or becoming discoloured. Odd stains on your plaster can also be an indication that there is a burst pipe behind your walls.
Mould And Mildew
Mould can be a dangerous guest to pop up in your home as it releases toxic spores into the atmosphere causing various health problems. Check along your skirting boards, on your walls, and your ceilings for any signs of mould growth. Mould will first appear as small dark or discoloured spots which will grow rapidly when not dealt with. Another sign that mould has formed can be the faint smell of mildew in the air. Make sure to check underneath and behind your furniture as these can be thriving points for mould growth.
Obvious Signs Of A Burst Pipe
There are some obvious indicators that you have a water leak or burst pipe on your property, that may seem small and insignificant, but can be a sign of a much bigger problem. If there is a tap in your house that won’t stop dripping, if your toilet continually runs after flushing, if you notice a significant decrease in your water pressure or water pooling on your floor, then you have a burst pipe or water leak. Contact a leak detection service who have the equipment, experience, and the knowledge to detect water pipes anywhere on your property.
Better To Be Safe
Obviously, we can’t accurately detect water pipes that aren’t visible, so the ideal thing to do if you suspect there is a burst pipe on your property, is to contact a leak detection specialist who know what to do with a burst water pipe at your property.
Water can cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time, so for the safety of you, your family and your home, water leaks should be taken seriously and fixed as soon as possible. By finding the burst pipe quickly and having it repaired, you are not only saving water, but also could be saving yourself thousands in repair work on structural damage, whilst ensuring the good health of your family.
Call the leakage experts
Austest Pipeline Solutions have been serving Melbourne and surrounding suburbs since 1997.
If you need any water pipe detection at your property send us an online enquiry and we’ll be in touch to organise an inspection.