When it comes to owning a house, there can be water leaks absolutely anywhere at any time. Whether underground or hiding away in the walls, sometimes it can be impossible to find them and the sinister damage they’re doing. It can all get out of hand faster than many people realize which is the biggest worry of them all.
Here are a few things that you need to know when it comes to finding water leaks and fixing them.
How to Find Water Leaks
There are many ways to find water leaks in your home. However, they come in two sections. These two sections are how to find a water leak while using a water meter and how to find the leaks without a water meter.
Let’s take a better look to understand the difference.
Finding Water Leaks Without a Water Meter
Water leaks can be almost impossible to detect at times. However, there are many clues that may indicate that you have leaks. Here are some things that you should look out for.
- Bad smells within your home or outside
- A warm area beneath the concrete of your house
- Running water when other water sources are not in use
- Wet areas on walls or floors with no explanation
- A spike in your water bill
- A change in your water meter when water is not in use
These are some very important things to look for when wanting to identify a water leak. Toilets are among the more common perpetrators when it comes to water leaks. The best way to detect a toilet leak is to remove the top of the tank and listen for a hissing sound.
A hissing sound will confirm your suspicions that your toilet is the issue.
Finding Water Leaks with a Water Meter
All hope should not be lost when it comes to finding a leak. While it may feel like an uphill battle, your water meter is your best buddy at times like this. It can be a great indicator of whether or not you’re dealing with a water leak.
Here is a little guide that will help you detect water leaks with the help of your water meter:
- Go find your water meter and write down the current reading
- Avoid using any water for the next few hours
- Go to your water meter afterwards and keep an eye out for a changed meter which will indicate water usage
If you have stuck to the no water usage option but you’ve noticed your meter reading has changed, this is a very good indication that you may have a leak somewhere. Perhaps it is one hidden that you can’t find, under the driveway, for instance.
Leaks can be hard to notice, especially if there is nothing to alarm you of a leak. Most of the time, people are only aware of a water leak when they receive a substantial water bill. The best thing to do in case of a water leak is to call a licensed plumber.
How to Fix a Leak
It is important to know that some leaks will require a licensed plumber to clear. To fix a leak property, it is in your best interest that you find a good plumber to help you out. DIY leak fixes may seem cheaper, but they never end the way you hope they will.
The Bottom Line
If you think you have a water leak inside or outside your home, ensure that you speak to a licensed plumber asap. It is the best way to fix your leak and get back to a normal way of living leak-free.
