Leaks in your plumbing are never something you want to deal with. From the most minor leaks from your sink to a broken pipe in the ceiling, the escaping water poses a ton of potential damage to your home.
That is, unless you act fast upon seeing the signs that your system has water leaks. The expert plumbers from Charles Stone has broken down several common sources of leaks and ways you can proactively detect them.
Common Sources of a Plumbing Leak
Plumbing leaks can come from various familiar sources around the home. The most common include:
- Toilets: Your toilet experiences daily wear and tear, which can cause leaks to sprout in multiple locations, such as the fill valve or the water line itself. The result can be that your toilet wastes over 200 gallons of water when running.
- Faucets: Over time, o-rings and washers can wear, resulting in water leaking from the base and dripping from the spout.
- Showerheads: Shower heads can build up mineral deposits, which can cause the head to drip, while worn-out joints also allow water to escape.
- Water Heater: With continual use, your water heater’s components become vulnerable to leaks, such as the tank rusting or loose piping.
- Dishwasher: Common weak points of the dishwasher include its supply line and door gaskets, which can cause water to puddle underneath the unit.
- Washing Machine: Over time, parts like the water supply and drain lines can wear down, allowing water to escape, typically pooling around the washing machine.
- Refrigerator: Gaskets installed around the fridge doors can wear over time and cause leaks.
- Pipes: The pipes that supply water or are used for draining can crack, loosen their joints, or even freeze, becoming vulnerable enough for leaks to develop.
- Water Heater Safety Pan: This can occur when the pan is plumbed directly into your drain line, allowing the water to escape underneath the water heater unit.
- Exterior Hoses: These hoses are normally found in areas like basements and can have worn-down components like their washers and supply valves, resulting in disruptive and damaging leaks.
7 Ways To Detect a Water Leak Before It Gets Worse
The best form of leak detection is proactive detection. Leaving leaks to stew disrupts your daily plumbing and can cause severe water damage to your home and costly repairs to recover from.
Here are early ways to detect a leak in your home before your home and wallet are affected by the potential damage:
Test the Water Meter
If you suspect your system is leaking, you first should turn off all the water in your home and check the water meter for movement. If the meter still moves despite the water being shut off, it indicates a leak and allows water to escape quickly.
If the change is not apparent, recheck the meter in a few hours for any movement, as this can indicate a slower leak.
Monitor Your Water Bill
The problem with leaks is that they can appear out of sight, but an abnormally high water bill can tell them apart. Collect your latest bill and compare it to your last few to see if there are any differences. If your bills are not consistent, you probably have a leak.
Inspect Fixtures & Appliances
A water heater will commonly leak if it’s old and worn. Check the top of the tank for damaged tubing and inspect the bottom for leaks at the drain valve and pressure relief valve. If leaks are found, a professional plumber can usually replace the faulty components.
Listen for Running Water
Leaks don’t always present themselves visually, so you may have to rely on your hearing. Listen closely to areas like your walls or floors, as the sound of running water can be heard if the leak is nearby.
Use Food Coloring in Toilets
While this might sound like us forcing you to waste baking supplies, it is a great way to indicate a leak. Put a few drops of food coloring into your toilet’s tank and wait a few minutes before flushing. If the water inside your toilet bowl changes color, it means there’s likely a leak between the tank and toilet bowl.
Check for Exterior Signs
Leaks can make their presence known in a few specific locations around and outside the house. Here is the breakdown of where to check outside the home:
- Lawn: A lush, green yard is usually great, but not when the extra watering is coming from a leak. Inspect your yard for any particular spots of bright green patches of grass, as these areas receive more water from a nearby underground leak.
- Plumbing Fixtures: Assess fixtures like outside faucets using a hose to see if water escapes when running. If there is a leak, it’s typically due to a worn-down rubber gasket that needs to be replaced.
- Exterior Walls & Foundation: Walk around your home and pay close attention to the condition of your walls and foundation. If there are points where material has eroded or has begun growing mold, you have located your pesky leak.
Schedule Regular Plumbing Inspections
When dealing with your plumbing, you always have peace of mind with a professional plumber helping you. Keep to a routine maintenance and inspection schedule to have a plumber check vulnerable, leaking areas and address any present leaks before they escalate to much more costly damage.
Need Help Finding a Hidden Water Leak?
Going through our various detection methods should lead you to the leaking culprit. But if the source is still a mystery, it’s time to rely on the professionals from Charles Stone.
Our expert plumbers restore your plumbing and keep your home water damage-free by utilizing our in-depth inspection and repair solutions. With reliable plumbing services like piping and emergency repairs, sudden leaks never leave you stressed, as our team is a call away.
Keep your home leak-free by giving Charles Stone a call today at (931) 342-1149!
Plumbing Leaks FAQs:
How does a plumber find a water leak underground?
Expert plumbers employ various detection methods and tools for leaks. Initial tests include a visual inspection and acoustic testing with specialized devices to identify the sound of running water.
More advanced techniques involve checking water pressure, using thermal imaging to detect temperature differences, employing tracer gas to check for escaping air, or using soil probes to identify moisture areas.
How do I find a water leak inside a wall?
While it’s not possible to immediately scan behind your wall, the presence of leaks can give some clear red flags. Check for the following issues: walls have a discolored look, puddles or moisture near your walls, texture on your walls feel different, presence of mold or mildew, musty smell in the air, or dripping sounds.
These are often the early signs of a leak which should signal you to immediately contact a professional plumber for assistance with your leak repair. Being proactive with your leaks prevents the chance of far more severe damage.
Is a leaking pipe an emergency?
Yes, a leaking pipe should be treated as an emergency. The presence of a leak indicates a much bigger problem with your plumbing. Consult with a professional plumbing company about leak detection and repairs before any more water damage occurs.
