On average, a household leak can waste around 10,000 gallons of water each year if left unchecked and unrepaired. Even if you find out that there’s a leak anywhere in the house, it can waste approximately 90 gallons of water in 24 hours.
The most common causes of water leaks are worn toilet tank flappers, dripping faucets, and leaking underground valves. Leaks are annoying and can cause damage to your property if left unchecked. A small pinhole in a pipe inside drywall can lead to major structural problems and lower the value of your property.
How to Detect a Leak Yourself?
Leaks also drive up your water bills so the sooner you can get them fixed, the more money you’ll be able to save in the long run. To be certain that you have a water leak in your house, you can perform some simple tests:
- Keep an Eye on the Water Meter
If there is a leak in your house, the water meter will show use even when there is no water in use. So, to find out if the water is leaking, turn off all the faucets, dishwasher, washing machine, air cooler, and any appliance that might be using water. Tell your family not to use the water for an hour. Check after an hour, if the meter changes, then you probably have water leakage anywhere in your house.
Some leaks can be negligible so you’ll have to check for a longer period. When you leave the house, turn off all the faucets and appliances that use water and note what the meter says. When you get back after 5-8 hours check the meter. If there is a change, you probably have a minor leak anywhere in your house. So, any leak that is in a pipeline after the meter will show up on your monthly water bill.
- Compare the Water Bills
A family of four uses approximately 12,000 gallons of water a month. If you are using more water, then it’s either your unusual water habits or a water leak to blame. If the water bill keeps on rising and your water use habits haven’t changed much over the months, you can compare the water bills from past months with the latest ones. If there is a steady increase then its reason is probably a water leak.
Since the month the leak started, the water bill should have increased and remained steady if the water is getting wasted through the leak at the same rate. A constant increase means an undetected leak in the pipelines. If you are unsure of where the leak exactly is, you can call a plumber and get an inspection.
- Check Toilet Tanks
Toilet tank leaks account for more than 30% of the water use. The toilet tanks flappers are worn from time to time because of heavy use. A toilet flapper should be replaced every 3 years to avoid leakage.
To check if the worn-out toilet flapper is the problem, add some food color to the tank and wait for 5 minutes. If without flushing, the food color is seen inside the toilet bowl, it means that your toilet tank is leaking and the flapper or any other component needs to be replaced.
- Inspect the House Yourself
Most water leakages and other problems can be recognized by homeowners if they pay attention. Leakage under the kitchen sink is one of the most common types of leakages. So, when you open the kitchen cabinet and it smells moldy or the walls are wet, it probably means the water is leaking into the walls. Also, if there is an insect infestation of insects such as cockroaches, it might be a sign of water leaks. Cockroaches, silverfish, and many other insects live in damp environments which are often created by water leaks. Therefore, paying attention to these areas can save you thousands of dollars in repairs.
- Regular Annual Inspections
To avoid leakage problems, get a professional inspection every year to make sure that all the pipelines are in good condition. A 20-30-year-old property needs regular inspection as problems may start to come up when the life expectancy of the plumbing system starts to decline.
How Plumbing Experts Detect Leaks?
As soon as you find out about a leak, it is recommended to call in a professional like Garden Grove Plumber. The plumbing professionals at Garden Grove Plumber are experienced in handling all types of repair work. As soon as you suspect a leak, you can call a professional to find the leaks that you cannot find yourself.
They use special techniques to find leaks quickly and provide great repair services. Here are some ways your plumber would look for leaks in your plumbing system.
- Acoustic Listening Devices
Among many basic tools that plumbers use to detect leaks is ground microphones that capture the low sounds of water falling from a leak. The technology can detect the most minor noises of leaks where water seeps into the ground or even drips through concrete.
- Heat Scanners
Heat scanners are used by plumbing experts to pick up temperature changes. At places where the noise of water may not b picked by the acoustic devices; plumbers use heat scanners to pick up the sudden temperature changes. These temperature changes help them detect the exact spots they need to repair for leaks.
- Video Pile Inspection Equipment
For extra precision, the plumbers use miniaturized camera-mounted long fiber optic cables that they insert into pipes and holes. The camera relay images show them where exactly a leak is inside a pipe. It also lets them see the condition of the plumbing system and detect tears before they get worse.
Bottomline
Our professional plumbers at Garden Grove Plumber have diverse training that enables them to deal with most plumbing system problems. They can rapidly research the area and detect leaks. Additionally, they offer guaranteed services and inspections so you can rest assured that your plumbing system is in safe hands.