An undetected or unaddressed leaking pipe not only wastes water but can also ramp up a hefty water bill or, even worse, cause extensive damage to your home. The most common leaks arise from worn toilet flappers, leaking valves, or dripping faucets. However, sometimes leaks aren’t as apparent as an annoying dripping sound that keeps you up at night. On the contrary, some leaks are more subtle, unnoticed until they become more serious. Thus, early detection is critical.
Please keep reading to learn how to spot a potential plumbing leak.
Inspect your water meter
A great way to detect a plumbing leak is to check the water meter. Turn off the main water valve to determine whether water is still passing through a pipe or other outlet when not in use. Shut off all faucets and ensure the washing machine or other water appliance is not running.
Next, make a note of the water meter reading. Wait a while and check to see whether the meter reading has changed. If it has, that’s potentially a sign of a fast-moving leak. However, if it has not adjusted, check again in two hours. If there’s a change, this could be a potential sign of a slow leak.
A water bill increase
The cost of your water bill should stay within the same range each month. Compare former bills to those issued in the past couple of months to check for a steady increase. If your water usage habits haven’t changed, but your water bill consistently increases, a plumbing leak could be the cause.
A musty smell
Sometimes when mold and mildew are present inside walls, under the floor, or in the vents of a room, it gives off a musty, earthy smell. Water sitting in one place, for example, beneath a leaking pipe, will decay and cause a musty odor. A consistent musty smell in a room is not typical. Therefore, it’s likely a sign of a plumbing leak.
Food coloring test
Check that the toilet(s) in your home are fully operational as they can account for as much as 30% of water usage. Another way to uncover a leak is to add food coloring drops into your toilet tank. After 10 minutes, if the color appears in the toilet bowl, this confirms a leak is allowing water to run from the tank to your drain when you have not flushed the toilet.
Call out the plumbing experts
Some pipes reside underground. Therefore, it will be challenging to detect such plumbing leaks. Consider reaching out to a professional plumbing company offering leak detection services for peace of mind. They’ll explain all you need to know regarding any plumbing leaks in your home, including the exact location, the cause, and what should be done about it. A water leak can easily be fixed, leaving you to pay for household water usage only and avoid water damage.
If you need an honest, dependable plumber in the Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe or Chandler area, call Jimmy at 480-757-1273.
