5 Easy Ways to Detect Plumbing Leaks in Your Home
Whether you’re renting a serviced apartment or living in a mansion, plumbing leaks can occur. However, not every leak is easily noticeable, so it’s best to be on the lookout for the signs of leakage.
Early detection is key in preventing water wastage and extensive plumbing issues. To give you a headstart, here are some easy ways to detect plumbing leaks in your home.
Examine your toilet and sink.
Checking the condition of the plumbing fixtures under your kitchen cabinet, tub, sink, and toilet is the first step you have to do when you’re checking for leaks. You see, some leaks can only be noticeable if you look at them closely, so it’s best to designate time to carefully check these areas.
However, if your property is slightly older, we suggest that you do this regularly or hire a plumber to do the task for you. This is because older structures have higher chances of having plumbing problems.
If you notice severe damage to your plumbing system and the overall structure of your space, you can also hire a renovation contractor and interior designer to handle the kitchen renovation or toilet renovation.
Monitor your water bill.
Monitoring your water bill is also a good way to check unexpected changes in your monthly water consumption.
Suppose you notice that your water bill this month is significantly higher than your last one, but you know there hasn’t been much change in your household’s consumption. In that case, there might be some hidden leaks in your plumbing system.
However, this sign might not be 100% accurate, so it’s still best to hire a professional plumber who can inspect your water pipes.
Look at your water meter.
Checking your water meter is perhaps the simplest way to determine if you have a plumbing leakage in your house.
To do this, you have to turn off the plumbing fixtures such as faucets, showerheads, valves, and toilets. Besides that, you also have to make sure that your washing machine and dishwasher are not running when you’re conducting this test.
After that, go to your water meter and write down the numbers in it. Wait for an hour and check if there are changes despite all the plumbing fixtures and appliances being off.
If the numbers changed, there’s probably a leak in one of your plumbing pipes.
Observe if there is discoloration in your bathroom/kitchen walls.
Inspecting your kitchen and bathroom’s interior and exterior walls is also a way to see if your house has an interior plumbing problem. If there is a continuous water passage to the wall’s wallpaper or paint, you will see visible signs such as peeling or discoloration.
If you have wallpaper or paint on your wall, too much exposure to water or moisture can cause it to peel. On the other hand, if your bathroom wall is covered with tiles, water seepage caused by leaks can also cause the tiles to loosen or fall.
Check outdoor water systems.
Although most leakage problems can occur inside your home, you still have to consider the plumbing lines set outdoors. Even the main supply line can be prone to leaks, so you have to inspect if there is any corrosion on the pipes or any leaking hose around your garden.
Furthermore, leakage problems can also occur under or within concrete slabs, so finding where the leakage is coming can be tough. Nonetheless, if you notice the strong smell of mold or mildew or notice cracks and damp patches on the floor, this might be the time to call a plumber.