Categories: How To & Tips

How to Find Water Leaks in Your Home

Our homes and we rely on water. The problem is that water has to be contained, or it will lead to several potential issues. Unfortunately, plumbing leaks are quite common. This is the case even with new homes. It is a certainty that sooner or later, you will end up having to deal with a water leak and contact plumbing professionals like www.fixitrightplumbing.com.au/plumber-geelong/. Make things a lot easier for yourself by learning how to spot water leaks before becoming a huge problem.

1 Look at the Water Bill

It is very easy to predict a water bill because we often end up consuming around the same quantity of water every single month. Because of this, when you see a water bill that is too high or your water bills keep growing in time, there is a good possibility there is a leak present. According to statistics, a family made out of 4 people will use under 12,000 gallons every month. A small faucet drip can end up wasting 10,000 gallons every year. This is why you can often spot water leaks by looking at your water bills.

2 Look at the Water Meter

This is the simplest way to spot water leaks in a home easily. Your water meter is usually located close to the street, in a manhole-type cover, in the back of the home, or close to the main water supply line that enters your home. Locate your main water meter and follow these steps:

  • Make sure all water faucets in the home are turned off. Do the same with the dishwasher, the washing machine, and any other appliance that uses water.
  • Look at the water meter. Make a note of the seen numbers. Then, wait for one hour. Check the numbers. If they changed, there is a water leak present somewhere.

When you have the water meter close to the street, you can use it to determine if the water leak you have is outdoors or inside the house. Just turn off the valve of the main water supply. Then, check the meter with the same technique mentioned before. When numbers change, your water leak is caused by the water line that takes water to your home. In this case, always contact a plumber. When numbers do not change, the leak is somewhere indoors.

3 Investigate Fixtures and Appliances

When you know that the water leak is inside the home, look at all the cabinets in your kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room, those that are close to water sources. They have to be dry. Also, look for the presence of puddles around toilets, tubs, and showers. Analyze the area under your dishwasher, clothes washer, and water heater. Whenever you see the presence of water, turn off the supply valve to that specific fixture or appliance. You will have to contact a plumber since you most likely located the source of the water leak.

Unfortunately, when the methods mentioned above do not help you to locate the source of the water leak, and you know there is one, you have no other option but to contact the plumber as soon as possible.