While regular plumbing maintenance can help find problems before they become bigger issues, some household leaks are more obvious
than others, like dripping faucets and hot water heaters with water around them. Other household leaks are not obvious and can go undetected for a long time because they are not in plain sight. Household leaks will show up on your water bill though, and it will probably hurt. Finding the leaks before you call Red Deer Plumb-Pro will save time for us and that means more money in your pocket. Here’s how to check for leaks in your own home before you call for help repairing them.
Supply lines
The first thing to figure out is whether the leak is inside or outside your home. Because the supply line is usually buried a few feet underground, leaks can be difficult to find. Look for patches of grass in your yard that are greener than the rest, soft and muddy underfoot, or growing faster than other areas. If that doesn’t work, find the shut-off valve by the house and check the meter. If the meter is still moving, your leak is probably somewhere in the house.
If you find a evidence of a leak between the meter and the house, don’t try to repair it yourself. Call us at Plumb-Pro for professional plumbing repair. Any other kind of leaks related to the supply line is the responsibility of your utility provider.
Hot Water Tanks
If you notice any standing water around your hot water heater, it could be a sign of a leak in your pressure relief valve, which can be fixed. If not, you’ll need a new hot water heater. Don’t wait to call Plumb-Pro for help though, because tank leaks often start small and then burst several days or weeks later.
Toilets
Toilet leaks, while among the most common household leaks, often end up wasting hundreds of gallons of water as they go undetected. Most toilet leaks are easy and inexpensive to repair, once you find the leak.
Finding the leak is easy enough if you remove the tank lid and hear any kind of hissing, but if you can’t hear anything, grab some food colouring and put a few drops in the tank. Wait a few minutes and check the bowl. If there is any colouring in the bowl, you probably have a leak in the flapper. You can try to fix this yourself, or you can call Plumb-Pro for help, especially if you have leaks in more than one toilet.
Fixtures
Faucet leaks are another common household leak that you can probably repair yourself with the right know-how. You can also choose to leave it until it gets worse, but you’ll only be hurting your wallet, as dripping faucets waste thousands of gallons per year. Red Deer Plumb Pro can help.
Wastewater/Other
Your potable water source is constantly under pressure, so those kinds of leaks will be more noticeable than wastewater leaks, which rely on gravity to move. Look for wet spots and warped sections on your floors, ceilings, walls, and any wooden cabinets.
Condensation can also cause damage to your home if there is too much of it. Plumb-Pro can help insulate your pipes to stop or reduce the condensation, so give us a call!
If you can’t find the leak in your house, don’t despair. Call a professional plumber at Red Deer Plumb-Pro for help. Our journeyman plumbers will diagnose the problem and have it fixed in no time.