Water leaks are a nightmare: They can cause major damage to your home, waste tons of water, and drive up your water bill.
Detecting them early is critical.
A common way to spot a leak is by listening for water in the pipes. If you hear it even when no one is using any water, the pipe may be leaking somewhere in your home.
Check Your Water Meter
Water leaks can be costly and dangerous. They can damage your home and your appliances, as well as increase your monthly bill.
The best way to detect a leak is by checking your water meter. Most water meters are located outside near the front of your house, usually under a concrete or black lid.
Typically, the meter has a sweep hand to show CCFs of gallons of water used along with a leak detection dial (a small triangle) that spins if there is a leak.
If the dial moves then there’s a leak and you need to find it and fix it.
To check for a leak, turn off all your water use appliances and then go to the water meter. This includes all faucets, dishwashers, washing machines and any other source of water.
Check Your Faucets
Leaks are one of the most common plumbing problems in homes. They can cause expensive water damage and put a dent in your budget if you don’t fix them right away.
The most obvious way to detect a leak is by checking your faucets. If the spout is constantly dripping, you can usually fix this yourself by replacing the washer.
You should also check your faucet’s shut-off valve and flexible supply tubes for tight connections. Then, check the tailpieces of your faucets for rust that could be causing a leak.
If you’ve got kids around, let them help you on your water leak hunt. They’ll be able to spot leaks you might miss, which will save you money in the long run!
The EPA estimates that 10 percent of homes waste 90 gallons or more per day, so fixing easily corrected household leaks can save you up to 10 percent on your water bill. That’s a lot of water, and it can go a long way towards saving the planet!
Check Your Water Heater
Water leaks can snowball, causing major water damage in your home before you even notice them. This is especially true in homes where the water heater is tucked away in a utility closet or basement.
The first step in detecting a leak is to turn off the power to the water heater. That will ensure that it doesn’t get any worse and can help save money in the long run.
Once the water is off, you can then begin to check the source of the leak. For example, if you’re seeing a large puddle of water around the base of your water heater, this could be a sign that the water inlet pipe is leaking.
Next, inspect the drain valve near the bottom of the water tank. This valve is supposed to be watertight and should not be leaking.
Check Your Water Pressure
Water pressure is a critical aspect of your plumbing system. Having water pressure that is too high or too low can cause many plumbing problems, including leaks.
Homeowners may need to test their water pressure regularly. This can help them to catch the issue before it becomes a major problem and prevent damage to their plumbing systems.
Generally speaking, homes should have water pressure that ranges from 35 to 80 PSI (pounds per square inch). If you are getting a pressure reading that is below 40 psi or above 80 psi, it is time to call a plumber for assistance. A professional plumber can help identify the problem or help with leak detection in Melbourne.
One way to test your water pressure is by using a pressure gauge. These are simple to use and can be found at local hardware stores. Simply hook the gauge to a hose faucet and turn off all other faucets and water-using appliances to get a baseline pressure reading.
