Water leaks can often go undetected in their initial stages, and may eventually lead to disastrous consequences, such as flooding your home when you’re least expecting it. The best way to avoid flooding is to check your home for leaks.
The following are some of the easiest and most efficient ways you can find leaks in your home to prevent a possible disaster like flooding.
Check the water meter
One of the easiest methods to find out whether you have a leak in your plumbing is to check the water meter. To do so, you will first have to turn off all the water sources present in your home, and make sure the dishwasher and washing machine are not running. Once you have closed all the water taps, take a look at the water meter. If the water meter shows that you are still losing a lot of water and rapidly, then you have a leak. However, if you do not notice any change, wait for 2 hours and see if the water meter shows any changes. If not, you’re in the clear! However, if there is a change, then you likely have a slow leak situation. If you’re unsure where this possible leak could be coming from, our experienced technicians can conduct a thorough inspection to find and repair the leak.
Have a look at your bill
Another method to check whether you have a plumbing leak is to compare your water bills. Gather your water bills from the past six months and then note down the amount you are being charged. Your water bill should remain within the same range as the months pass. If you find that the bill has increased, but there has been no change that might contribute to it, then it is likely that you have a leak.
The problem with leaks is that they are often undetectable, however you are definitely paying for them.
Check for slow leaks
Sometimes, the most unlikely places can produce the most shocking leaks. Roughly 30 percent of your water use happens in your toilet. To test your toilet for leaks, simply add about 6 drops of food coloring into your toilet tank and then wait for 10-30 minutes. Do not flush. If the color leaks into the bowl, it means that the water is flowing from the tank to the drain. This means hundreds of gallons of water wasted every month and can quickly run up your water bill.
Have a look at your usage
If you are wary of leakage, the easiest way to check is to measure how much water you are using. If you and your family are blowing through 12,000 gallons of water per month, which is too much for a family of of 4-5 people, then you can be sure that there is a severe leak and you should have a professional out to check it.
Leaks can be very disturbing if they are not caught early. It is best that you make thorough checks every month so that you can catch a slow leak and have a professional assess the situation to determine the best course of actions.