7 Methods That Will Help You Discover Hidden Leaks in Your Home

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Any unintended flowing of water around your home is likely to end up wreaking havoc and costing you money. Leaks are not always immediately obvious, but if they go undetected and unresolved, things are only going to get worse.

Professional help is often needed to provide a solution when you discover a water leak. If you search for a Caldwell plumbing company, for instance, you will be able to find the assistance required. In the meantime, it would be useful to know how to uncover hidden leaks in your home. Here’s what you need to know.

Has your water bill spiked?

One of the most obvious ways to discover a hidden leak would be to question why your water bill has suddenly gone up.

A sudden and unexpected spike in your water usage, despite not doing anything different around your home, should be a red flag to question why this is happening and to investigate the possibility of a hidden leak.

What is your water meter telling you?

Another clear sign that something is not right would be when your water meter keeps moving even when you have turned the supply off to check.

If you temporarily turn off the supply and the meter is still moving after a couple of hours you should get a plumber to check for a leak somewhere.

Analyze the results

Meter readings and bills can potentially highlight that you have a problem with a hidden leak.

The average home is unlikely to exceed using 12,000 gallons of water each month. If you are running higher than that and you can’t explain why, this level of excessive usage should be investigated by a plumbing professional.

Signs of stains

A visible clue to look out for would be any sign of staining on the floor, wall, or ceiling. Water leaks can often start off small before getting worse over time. Often, the first clue that something is wrong is when small stains appear. Don’t ignore any signs of staining.

Is your toilet leaking?

Toilets account for about a third of our water usage. Sometimes, they can have a slight leak that is not immediately obvious. A simple test to do would be to apply a few drops of food coloring to the water and wait about ten minutes. If the color disappears without flushing, you could have a slight leak.

Use your ears for audible clues

Sometimes, you can hear a leak without being able to see it. Turn the volume down in the house and listen carefully for the sound of running water.

Call a plumber if you can hear running water but can’t see it.

Is the problem with an outdoor faucet?

A leak in your home could actually be on the outside. If your outdoor faucet is leaking it could end up wasting a lot of water. Periodically check to see if it is turned off properly and not leaking.

Garden irrigation systems are also notorious for leaks. You could be wasting thousands of gallons each month if this is leaking.

The bottom line is that any signs of leaks should not be ignored. You need to act fast to save money and avoid a more expensive repair bill at a later point. If you see or hear any signs of a leak contact a plumber immediately.