06 Feb Learn How To Properly Detect A Water Leak In Your Home
You can rent or own a home. There’s a good possibility that you have listened to water drip, drip and drip at night and wondered where it came from. Perhaps your washing machine or dishwasher has leaked, or you have woken up to a flood in your kitchen. Or perhaps there is a leaky pipe that caused water to pool and cause a hole in your ceiling.
These situations are not uncommon or surprising. It is known that at least 44% of building and contents insurance claims can be attributed to leaky pipes (or what some insurance companies refer to as an “escape of water”).
Insurance companies can be very expensive for water damage to your home. You may also need to pay for a plumber or water meter to repair the problem. You can’t prevent all leaks but you can reduce the chance of serious damage to your house or bank balance.
Sometimes, leaks can be subtler than a steady drip, drip and drip that keeps you awake at night. They are often subtler until they become a flood. This is why it is important to detect them early.
How to find a water leak in your home
Even if there is no water in the house, you can still detect a leak.
- You should be monitoring your water usage to detect any sudden increases. Register for an account online or request your water supplier to send monthly statements so that you can keep track of how much water you use.
- A leak could be detected if you notice a drop in the water pressure while filling your bath or shower. Check your fixtures by turning them off and then turning them back on. It’s possible that the pressure is too high.
Low pressure in a shower can also be caused by a blocked shower-head due to limescale buildup. If your shower is located above your bath, it could also indicate a defective Shower/Bath diverter.
Use a limescale remover to clean your shower-head and then check the Shower/Bath diverter for any changes.
- You should be monitoring when your hot-water heater/boiler turns on. If it does, there could be a problem with your hot water pipes. They will be more difficult to locate than other leaks and are generally underground.
Are you looking for a way to find a water leak underground.
If you see any water pools or damp patches on your floors, it’s possible that there is a ceiling leak. You can also smell a leak in your ceiling – underground leaks take longer to reach, which can lead to mildew and mould.
A leak detection tool is a great option if you don’t want the hassle of constantly looking for signs. There are many on the market and each one works slightly differently. Leak detection tools trigger an alert when there is a leak. This alert gets sent to your mobile app so you can take a look at it and determine if you can fix it . Leak detection tools are well-worth the initial investment because of the time and money they could save you.
Common places for water leaks
There are common causes of leaks in your home that you should check first if you suspect you might have one.
- Check your water tank/boiler. A leak should be visible quickly. If you don’t see any water coming out, look for signs such as marks or hissing sounds below the valve. This is not something you can do yourself if you have a central heating boiler.
- Toilets It is not uncommon for toilets to leak due to how often we use them. Although this is not something you should worry about, it can cause serious damage if the toilet is constantly running. It’s possible to repair it yourself. For example, changing a washer is easy and cheaper than calling a plumber.
Life hack To make sure that your toilet isn’t leaking, you can put food coloring in the tank and let it sit for ten minutes. If the water in your bowl is the same as the water in your tank, it’s likely that you have a leak.
- Shower-heads: Just like toilets, showers are used on a daily basis. You will likely find leaks as the parts wear down. As we’ve discussed, low pressure can be a sign of a leak.
- Appliances Appliances can shift from their original positions due to everyday use. This can cause leaks and can lead to valves and pipes being loosen. Make sure to check them often to ensure that all attachments are secured.
Water leakage can occur inside or outside your home. We have already discussed where to look for water leaks in the home. But what about outside?
How to spot a water leak in your garden or outside
You can check your water meters to determine if there are any signs of water damage in your home. Turn off the stop tap to ensure that no water enters your home. You can also check the water supply by running a tap until no water comes out. After you have done all of this, check the meter again to make sure the dial is still turning. If it isn’t, the leak may be in the supply line outside your house.
If it isn’t, the leak will be in your home via an internal pipe or through your appliances. Once you have determined that the leak is external, look for signs. You might also want to check if your meter is in your garden.
Digging up your lawn may be necessary to determine the extent of the leak. You might consider this before calling a plumber. You will need to search for signs if the leak is below concrete.
How to spot a water leak in concrete
Although it’s more difficult to locate a water leak in concrete than a leaky faucet in your bathroom, it’s not impossible. As you look for leaks below concrete, we’ve mentioned the importance of looking out for damp patches (with no visible signs of a ceiling leak) and for the smell of mold or mildew. Also, you should look out for cracks or uneven surfaces in concrete. This could be a result of water escaping or concrete being pushed up below.
How to deal with a leaky roof
It’s important to determine if there is a serious leak if you find it. Are you concerned about the possibility of it escalating quickly or causing significant damage? Is it restricted to one appliance? A toilet, washing machine, or other similar device? To resolve the problem safely, contact a local plumber if it is a major leak.
If the leak is small and can be fixed, you can turn off water to the appliance while getting the necessary supplies. You will need to shut off the water supply at the stop tap if it is a larger leak. This will ensure that no water enters your home and the problem doesn’t get worse. You should also shut off all electrics in any area of your house that is affected by the leak.
It is worth noting that many people try to turn off the tap, only to discover it has stuck due to so much time since the last time it was turned. You can’t shut off the tap if you don’t have the ability to do so.