Detection of water leaks
Detection of water leaks: how to identify and stop the damage caused by water leaks
Photo by Luis Quintero | Unsplash
Let’s face it: water leaks are annoying. Not only can they cause damage to your property, but they can also cost you a lot of money, especially if not detected beforehand. Unfortunately, most water leaks are hidden, and it is often too late for homeowners to detect them; once they did, they had already suffered from thousands of litres of wasted water and skyrocketing water bills.
Detection of water leaks
By detecting water leaks, you can save yourself from high water bills and even prevent water damage inside your property. That’s how:
1. Check your water bill
If you have noticed a significant increase in your water bill but can confirm that your water use habits remain unchanged, then there is the possibility of a water loss. For this, it is ideal for collecting previous water bills and comparing them to check for any important differences. The current account should be within the same range as in previous months. However, you need to keep in mind that some of your piping is underground. Therefore, you may not be able to detect them unless you hire the services of an experienced plumber.
2. Take a look at various areas of your home
You can perform basic leak detection by checking the various areas of the house such as the bathroom and the faucet. For the toilet, you need to use food colouring and apply a few drops to the back of the tank. Wait about 30 minutes – don’t download yet. Next, check if the food colouring is present. If the water is clear, there are no leaks; however, if you see the colour, then there is a leak. You can easily detect a leaking faucet if the water continues to drip after closing it. With the help of the right tools, you can easily do a do-it-yourself correction.
3. Monitor your water meter
One of the best ways to detect water leaks is by checking the water meter. Before doing so, make sure you have turned off all the water inside your home. Make sure you turn off all the taps and check if the washing machine and dishwasher are not working. Next, take a look at your water meter and check if it is working. If so, it could indicate the presence of a fast moving leak. However, if you don’t notice any changes, try waiting around two hours to check it once more. Do not open the water yet. Once you notice a change despite turning off all the water, there may be a small and slow leak.
Prevention of damage caused by water leaks
Now that you have been able to identify possible water leaks, it’s time to find out how to prevent damage from water leaks. Within 24 hours of the leak, mould will begin to develop in still water, which will eventually damage furniture and other areas inside the house.
Fortunately, you can prevent this from happening by following these tips:
Carry out routine maintenance
Routine maintenance is the best option to prevent damage caused by water leaks. If you constantly check your hardware or perform some basic leak detection procedures, you may be able to prevent water leaks from occurring. Here are some basic maintenance tips you want to keep in mind:
Regularly inspect the pipes: in this case you will need to request the services of a professional plumber to perform a visual inspection of pipes, sanitary ware, taps, and plumbing systems. It is best to do this at least quarterly to prevent possible problems before they become serious and possibly fix them minor.
Replace faulty facets, hoses, and fittings – if you notice any of the three already in a deteriorated state, the best thing you can do is replace them as much as possible. This will help you save money in the long run and prevent major problems from occurring.
What to do in case of water leaks
The best thing you can do if you notice a leak in your plumbing is to call the services of an experienced plumber. Routine maintenance is not a 100% guarantee that no leaks will occur, and there may be cases where water damage may be unavoidable. When any of these occur in Somerset and province, be sure to call Somerset Plumber immediately on 01823475156. Our plumbers are experienced and trained in water leak detection. They are available 24/7 and also on holidays.