How to Find a Water Leak in Your House
Water leaks in your home can be a frustrating and costly problem. If left unchecked, they can cause significant damage to your property, waste precious water, and increase your water bill. If you are wondering how to find a water leak in your house and what simple steps you can take to identify and locate water leaks in your home, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll discuss different methods and tools you can use to find a water leak, including checking your water meter, conducting a visual inspection, using a leak detection device, and calling a professional plumber.
Table of Content
- What Are the Signs of a Water Leak?
- Check Your Water Meter
- Dye Test the Toilet
- Conducting a Visual Inspection
- Using a Leak Detection Device
- Electronic Leak Detectors
- Infrared Cameras
- Consult The Experts
- FAQs
What Are the Signs of a Water Leak?
Due to their invisible warning indications, small water leaks might go months without being discovered, but if you’ve noticed any of the following symptoms:
- Even when you aren’t using any taps or appliances, you may still hear water running.
- Your water bills are higher than usual.
- Your walls or roof have water stains or paint that is flaking.
- Soft or muddy areas have emerged in your garden.
- Your air conditioners or hot water heaters need to be fixed.
You need to get in touch with plumbing experts like the team here at Aquatrade to evaluate further and fix the water leaking before it turns into a major problem
Check Your Water Meter
The first step in identifying plumbing leaks is to check the water meter. Your water meter is usually located near the front of your property, and it measures the amount of water that flows into your home.
If there is a water leak in your house, your water meter will be spinning even when you are not using any water. To check your water meter, make sure to shut off the main valve and all appliances in your home that use water, including washing machines, dishwashers, and sprinklers.
Then, locate your water meter, and write down the numbers. If the reading has changed since the last time you checked it, this could indicate even a small leak in the plumbing system.
Dye Test the Toilet
The toilet is a common location for interior plumbing leaks, so if you don’t see any water puddles or damp patches around fixtures or appliances, here’s a trick to see where the damage is.
Water can flow from the tank into the bowl when the flapper on the toilet – a rubber stopper that stops water from entering the bowl until you flush the toilet – becomes brittle over time.
Take out a bottle of food colouring, and add a few drops to each toilet tank throughout the home. Within five minutes, the colour will appear in the toilet bowl if the tank leaks.
Conducting a Visual Inspection
Another way to identify a water leak in your home is to conduct a visual inspection. Start by checking your home’s structure for any signs of water damage or moisture.
Look for damp patches, green patches, or water seeps on your walls, floors, or ceilings, as well as any mould or mildew growth.
Also, check your appliances that use water, such as your washing machine, dishwasher, and refrigerator, for any signs of wall discolouration, peeling paint, dripping taps, or water leak.
Finally, check your pipes for any visible leaks or corrosion.
Using a Leak Detection Device
Not all leaks are easily visible; if you are still unsure of a water leak in your home, you can use a leak detection device to help you find it. Several leak detection devices are available on the market, including electronic leak detectors and infrared cameras.
Electronic Leak Detectors
Electronic leak detectors are handheld devices that use sound waves to detect water leaks. They work by amplifying the sound of water flowing through a pipe, allowing you to pinpoint the location of the leak.
To use an electronic leak detector, turn off all the taps and appliances in your home that use water, and then walk around with the detector. When the detector detects a leak, it will emit a beeping sound.
Infrared Cameras
Infrared cameras are another type of leak detection device that uses thermal imaging to locate water leaks. They work by detecting changes in temperature caused by water leaks. When water leaks from a pipe, it cools the surrounding area, creating a temperature difference that the camera can detect.
Consult The Experts
A big red flag for house owners is when they see water dripping into their homes. There are always chances of having a water leak through your hot water systems, air conditioning units, buried water line, supply pipes, irrigation systems, water heaters, or even the basics like a leaking toilet.
A water leak is seen to cause major problems, especially during heavy rainfall seasons. Hence, it is always suggested to check for leaks regularly and get the repair work and plumbing fixtures completed at the earliest.
If you find that the leak is coming from the water main, ensure that you find the leaking pipes or leaking tap at the earliest. Run the same leak test using the water meter to check for other leaks.
To detect leaks and getting them fixed at the earliest would showcase a significant impact on your water bill and would save water. Your plumbing requirements need professionals with experience in dealing with leaking pipes and pooling water issues. Our team here at Aquatrade plumbing services are the professionals in town you are looking for. Get your quotes here.
FAQs
Q1: How can you tell where a water leak is coming from?
Ans: To tell where a water leak is coming from in your house, you can check for visible signs of water, listen for sounds of water, check water pressure, use a moisture meter or dye test, or call a plumber. It’s important to locate and address hidden leaks promptly to prevent further damage and save water.
Q2: Is there a tool to detect a water leak?
Ans: Yes, there are tools available to detect water leaks, such as moisture meters, acoustic leak detectors, thermal imaging cameras, water alarms, and pressure testing kits. However, it’s important to note that these tools may not always provide a definitive answer, and it’s best to call a professional plumber if you suspect a water leak in your home.
