Leaks in a plumbing system can cause a lot of trouble for your home. First, there’s all that water waste, which means you may pay more for water from the utility company than you should have to. Then, there’s the cost of repairing the issue in case a leak is located somewhere that only a plumber can reach. However, the potential cost of water damage can be much higher, which is why it’s still important to catch problems sooner than later.
You may not be able to detect leaks by looking really closely at your pipes; you cannot see the majority of the plumbing pipes in your home! However, there are some methods that may help you to spot hidden leaks.
A Drop in Water Pressure
One way to detect a hidden leak in your home’s plumbing is by paying attention to any drop in your home’s water pressure. You might pass this off as a quirk in your plumbing system, but it could indicate a serious issue.
When water leaks out of a crack in your pipes, it is not making its way directly to the faucets and fixtures in your home. That means that the water pressure from one or two areas of your home may fail to be as high as you need it, and you should call in a plumber to have a look.
The Water Meter Method
One way to tell if water is leaking is if the utility company is charging you more for using too much water. However, the change in your bills may be sudden, or you might not have received your bill just yet. That’s when you can use the water meter method.
Wait until no one in the home will be using the water for the next 30 minutes to an hour. Shut off the water using the main water shutoff valve located near the meter. While you are there, note the location of the number on the dial or mark it with a pen. Come back in about 30 minutes to an hour to check whether water levels have changed. If so, there’s likely a leak in the main line.
Using Dye for Hidden Toilet Leaks
A common hidden leak occurs in the toilet between the bowl and the tank. You may suspect there is a leak if you hear the sound of running water even between flushes, but this doesn’t always happen. One way to tell if the toilet tank is leaking is with the dye test. Simply add two drops of food coloring to the top tank and wait 30 minutes. If, by this time, the bowl water has started to change color, you have a leak.
Professional Leak Detection
By far, the best way to tell whether your plumbing has sprung a leak is to schedule professional leak detection. We recommend this service if you notice the signs of a leak, such as low water pressure, warm spots on the floor, or the sound of rushing water. We also recommend it for people who are moving. It’s important to know what you’re getting into!
Call a plumber in Stuart, FL for water leak detection today. Contact Admiral Plumbing Services, LLC.
