Have you had to deal with unexplainable water bills or leaky suspicions in and around your home or professional space? As any home/business owner would know, there’s nothing worse than suspecting a water leak with the inability to find any problems. However, you don’t necessarily want to call a professional plumber unless you know for sure that something is wrong, right? Wrong.
Thus, if you are suspecting a possible problem behind your walls, keep the following tips on water leak detection in mind the next time you’re on the hunt for faulty pipes.
1. Check the pressure relief valve.
If you have a hot water tank, you may want to check the pressure relief valve for any inconsistencies. On plenty of occasions, the valves are plumbed directly into a drain which makes spotting a leak extremely difficult. Listen for a hissing sound if you’re unable to remove the drain pipe. Chances are, your hot water tank may be leaking.
2. Can you spot a hissing sound?
One of the most common places for a water leak is often the toilet. Remove the top of the tank in order to listen to any hissing sounds. If you’re unable to spot a leak when a hissing sound is present, pour food colouring in the tank and pay close attention to any change of colour in the bowl. If the colour changes, you most likely have a leak in the flapper. Unless you want to get your own hands dirty, consider hiring a professional plumber.
3. Assess the meter line.
However, if you don’t notice a leak in your toilet, you may want to assess the meter line running from the meter to the building/house. Ensure that the shut-off valve is temporarily switched off and keep a close eye on the meter to see if it’s still running. If so, you may have a leak between the meter and the building.
4. Possibly repair the showerhead.
It’s not uncommon for showerheads to start leaking after years of use. As an easy repair job, you don’t necessarily have to call a plumber to change the showerhead. It could be that the washer has seen better days or the showerhead connection is faulty.
5. Does the tap close properly?
Over time, especially if the house has been around for many years, bathroom and kitchen taps tend to stop working as they should. According to homewaterworks.org, “A faucet dripping slowly at only one drop every two seconds will waste more than 1,000 gallons (3.7 m3) per year.” Which means unnecessary water loss over an extended period of time and money wasted. As a simple fix, if you’re accustomed to small DIY projects, you can easily fix a possible leak without breaking a sweat.
Figuring out how to find a water leak in your home or professional space can be quite frustrating if you’re unsure of where to start, which is why it’s always a good idea to call a licensed commercial plumbers in Melbourne if you suspect a leak – saving you plenty of money and moisture problems in the long run.
Remember, early detection can prevent further problems relating to water damage – leaving you with a simple solution once you’re able to find a possible water leak.