Some of the problems that plague residential plumbing systems are obvious. It's hard to miss an overflowing toilet or a burst water pipe. Unfortunately, most plumbing issues are hidden from view.
Hidden leaks have the potential to drive up your water usage and increase your monthly expenses over time. It's important that you know how to uncover hidden leaks so that you can have an experienced plumber make repairs.
Use these five strategies to help you find hidden leaks in your home.
1. Track Water Costs
One way you can determine if you have hidden leaks in your home is to look back at all of your monthly water bills. Track each one to see if any patterns emerge. A sudden increase in water usage with no explanation could indicate a hidden leak has developed in your home.
The hidden leak will cause water to seep out of your pipes before the water reaches your plumbing fixtures. Contact a plumber for help if you see a sudden increase in your home's water usage.
2. Use Your Water Meter
Your home is equipped with a water meter that measures how much water flows from a municipal water system into your home's plumbing system. This water meter can be a valuable tool in helping you identify hidden leaks in your home.
Turn off all faucets and water-using appliances inside your home. Record the number displayed on the water meter. Leave your faucets and appliances turned off for a period of time, then check the water meter again.
If the number on the meter has increased, this is a sign that there is a hidden leak inside your home.
3. Complete a Visual Inspection
While many of the pipes and fittings in your home's water system are hidden behind walls, there are some pipes and fitting that are visible.
You may have to open cabinets or look behind your toilet, but you should be able to complete a visual inspection of some of the pipes in your home.
You want to check these pipes for any exterior moisture or condensation. This collection of moisture on the outer wall of a pipe could be the result of a leak nearby.
Even if you aren't able to spot the leak yourself, finding evidence of the leak will alert you to the fact that a plumber is needed.
4. Test Your Toilet
The toilet is a common place for leaks to hide. Since a leaking toilet will empty into the toilet bowl, homeowners usually don't notice toilet leaks right away. It can be beneficial to periodically test your toilets for leaks if you are trying to eliminate hidden leaks in your home.
Put a few drops of food coloring into the toilet tank. Make sure that no one flushes the toilet as the food coloring sits in the tank for an extended period of time. After this time has passed, check for any evidence of the food coloring in the toilet bowl.
If color is visible, your toilet has a hidden leak that will need to be repaired by a plumber.
5. Use Your Nose
Your sense of smell can alert you to the presence of hidden leaks in your home's plumbing system. As water leaks from pipes and fittings, it begins to saturate the surrounding building materials. This produces the distinct odor of mold or mildew.
If you keep smelling mold or mildew in your home but you are unable to pinpoint the cause of the odor, a hidden leak is probably to blame.
An experienced plumber will be able to find and fix the leak to protect your home against water damage.
For more information, contact a local plumbing service.
Share29 April 2021
My name is Debbie Greenberg. I’m a single woman who owns her home, and like most homeowners I dread home repairs. I’m not very handy with do-it-yourself projects around the house. I can do a few minor repairs when necessary, but for the most part I have to call in a professional. Last year I had a leak in my roof. When it rained, water would leak into my kitchen. What appeared to be a simple fix turned out to be anything but simple. It took over four months to finally identify the problem, and double the money I was initially quoted to fix it. The problem ended up being that the flat part of my roof didn't have shingles, but a sheeting material. I learned a bit about home roofs along the way, and that is what I want to share with you.
