13 Feb Leak Detection 101 For Homeowners
New homeowners should be able to identify leaks in their homes. If not dealt with quickly, gas and plumbing leaks could cause serious health problems and property damage.
Leaky faucets and leaky shower-heads are easy to spot. But what about a leaky pipe in your wall?
Our professional water damage restoration experts are here to help you take care of the fixtures and plumbing in your home. To protect your home from dangerous water and gas leaks, follow our leak detection guide.
Signs that your house has a water leak
Water leaks can occur for many reasons. The most common places where water leaks can occur include faucets, toilets and washing machines.
There are many other signs you should look out for when trying to locate a leak in your household.
- Water spots on ceiling or wall
- Warped wood
- Musty odor
- Mold and mildew
- Paint bubbling or peeling
- Low water pressure
- Water bill increases
Although most of these items are obvious, people don’t always know how to connect them with water leaks. You should contact a licensed plumber if you experience any of these symptoms .
Before serious damage can occur, it is crucial to have reliable pipe leak repair. Pipes can leak because of corrosion, age and clogs. A professional water damage restoration expert can diagnose the problem and make necessary repairs. A leak could be a sign of a problem for new homeowners. A slab leak below your foundation could indicate that water is seeping into your yard.
Water Meter Test
You can track your household water usage on your home’s water-meter to determine if there is a leak. Turn off all water-using devices, such as drip irrigation systems and automated sprinkler systems. A leak may be the reason why the meters stop moving after an hour and a half of no water usage.
Sewer Line Leaks in New Homeowners
Your sewer line is where all the water from your home’s drains leaves your home. This pipe runs from your house to the street, and needs regular cleaning and maintenance in order to function properly.
A professional water damage restoration expert can access the basement clean-out valve to run a plumber’s snake down your line in order to clear any clogs or remove harmful tree roots.
A camera inspection can be performed by your plumber if they find any problems with your sewer line. They can inspect the pipes from the inside with a small camera and determine if repairs or replacements are necessary. This process is a great way to save money on the labor and hassle of replacing your entire sewer line. Discuss the various options available for sewer line repair with your professional water damage restoration expert.
How to detect a gas leak in your home
Gas leaks are scary. Natural gas leaks can be identified by their acrid sulfur odor. The smell of natural gas is not odourless, but the utility company adds another compound to make it odor.
A gas leak is often nothing more than a pilot light on the stove that has gone out. Open the windows to check for gas leaks in your kitchen. After the smell has subsided, turn on your pilot lights.
The soap test is a method to identify gas leaks elsewhere. Spray dish soap and water onto any pipes that you suspect are leaking gas. The soap will bubble up from the gas below.
Make sure to not attempt to fix gas leaks by yourself. Call a gas leak plumber outside to ventilate your house. Do not flip switches on lights or use electronic devices that could cause a gas explosion. If you are able to locate your main gas shutoff, turn off your gas supply until the professionals arrive.
How to Fix a Leaky Faucet
Leaky faucets are one of the most common home repairs. You may need to replace worn washers, O rings, or cartridges depending upon the type of your sink.
Before you disassemble your faucet, make sure to shut off the water supply. Turn the handle on the faucet that connects to your water supply clockwise to turn off the water. One handle is for cold water, and one for hot. These can be found under the sink or mounted on the wall.
To determine which parts you will need to replace, look up the make and model number of your faucet. If you don’t have the manual for your faucet, there are many tutorials available online.
Take off the decorative plate from the faucet handle. Unscrew the screw inside. Now you should have access to the parts that need to be replaced to stop your faucet leaking. Replace the washers and O-rings in compression sinks.
Pull out the old ceramic cylinder faucet and replace it with a new one. Replace the cartridge in cartridge faucets with the exact same model. You can find numerous tutorials online for each type. Turn the water supply on again and assemble your faucet. If the faucet continues to leak, it may be time to replace it or fix a larger plumbing problem.