Water leaks in your house are a recipe for disaster. Plumbing leaks can wreak havoc on your home. Water can damage your upholstery, furniture, and walls. Sometimes, leaks are subtle. Hidden water leaks can go undetected for weeks or even months.
Hidden water leaks are particularly dangerous, because they can cause extensive damage before you notice them.
If you suspect a leak in your home, but do not know how to find it, you have come to the right place. Here are some easy ways to find hidden water leaks in your home.
Review Your Water Bill
If you suspect a leak in your home, monitor your bill. An inexplicable and sudden increase in your water bill could indicate a water leak.
Remember, some pipes in your plumbing system may be underground. You may not notice leaks in these pipes, but will still pay for them. It’s best to have your pipes checked by a leak detection company in Santa Rosa. The professional will run tests to determine where the leak has occurred.
Check Exterior Usage
Leaks can occur inside or outside your home. To determine whether a leak is outside your home, attach a garden hose to your spigots. If water leaks through the connection while the hose is running, replace the gasket. Tighten loose connections.
Even a minor leak in an irrigation system can waste 6,300 gallons of water every month.
If you use an irrigation system, have it inspected by a professional every year.
Check Your Water Usage
The EPA recommends checking your water usage to determine whether you have a leak in your home. An average family consisting of four members should not use more than 12,000 gallons of water a month. If you notice a sharp rise in your water usage, you may have a leak in your plumbing system.
Inspect Your Water Meter
Turn off the water to your home. Turn off faucets, the dishwasher, and washing machine. Watch the water meter. If it begins to change, you have a leak.
Even if the meter does not change immediately, you may still have a leak. Check your meter after a couple of hours. If it has changed despite all the water being off, you are dealing with a slow-moving leak.
Try the Toilet Dye Test
To check whether you have a leak in your toilet, add a few drops of food coloring to your tank. If the color shows up in your bowl after 10 minutes, you have a leak.
Holman Plumbing is committed to helping homeowners keep their plumbing systems in top shape. We treat the root cause of plumbing issues, not just the symptoms. To schedule an inspection, call 707-495-5002.