Having a water leak in your home can do a lot of damage very quickly, so it’s important to find and stop the leak as soon as possible. Fortunately, when you know how to find a water leak and what kind of signs to look for, you have a better chance of reducing the harm a leak can do. Sometimes, a leak is very obvious. At other times, though, it can take a professional to locate it. Here’s what to look out for when you’re trying to diagnose and correct a water leak at your home.
Listen for Sounds of Running Water
One effective way to locate a water leak is by listening for it, which may appear obvious. If you have water running when and where it shouldn’t be, you can often hear it. A lot of water may be forcefully expelled if it’s a burst pipe or pressurized fixture. If you can hear gushing, trickling, or even dripping when all water should be off, you may have found the location of your home’s water leak.
Look for Puddles, Mold, and Damage
Signs of a water leak may include yard puddles, drywall mold, or flooring damage. If you see any of these signs, even in a small area, identifying the cause is important. It might range from a minor fitting leak to a major pipe leak in your home or exterior wall. If you see something that doesn’t look right, having it checked out can reduce damage and risk.WaterLeakRepair.
Consider the Price on Your Water Bill
When your water bill is rising but you haven’t changed anything about your behavior, that can be another indication that you’re dealing with a water leak at your home. Most of the time a water bill remains the same or at least very similar to what you’ve been paying, unless you’re notified of an increase or you use more water for a specific reason. In the absence of these scenarios, though, the rising price on your bill could be from a water leak.
Turn Off Water to Specific Areas
Try turning off the water to specific areas of your house, and seeing if you see or hear anything in the other areas. You can also turn off water and see if your meter is running, since it shouldn’t be moving if you’re not using water. If you completely shut off the water to your home, and your meter still says there’s water being used, there’s a leak or other problem that needs to be addressed.
Work With a Plumbing Pro for Answers and Repair
One of the best ways to find the source of a water leak is through plumbing repair services from trusted professionals. They can diagnose the source of the problem, get it fixed, and make sure there aren’t other issues that might have gotten overlooked. Even if you find the source of the issue yourself, repairing it isn’t usually a DIY job. It’s better to let the pros correct any leaks, so you can have a warranty and some peace of mind.
Monitor Your Water Usage for the Future
To reduce the chance of further water damage in your home, and to help protect your belongings from being destroyed by a water leak, it’s important to keep an eye on your water usage. Even after a problem has been repaired, that doesn’t guarantee there won’t be another issue somewhere else in the plumbing system in the future. By making sure you inspect your home and water bill you can feel confident that you’ll spot a problem before it becomes more serious.
