How to Catch Leaks Before They Get out of Hand
The dripping of a water leak can drive people crazy. In addition to the various dripping sounds, people will also have to deal with the other effects of a leak, like lower water pressure, high water bills, and water damage. Thankfully, there are ways homeowners can find a leak, alerting them to call a plumber for leak detection and repair. Here are different ways to spot a leak before it drains the bank account!
Signs There’s a Leak
Hidden water leaks that aren’t visible to homeowners can be difficult to identify, but several signs can alert homeowners to their presence. Some of the signs that could indicate a leak homeowners should watch out for are:
- Dripping, hissing, or running water noises when no water is in use
- Soggy spots or puddles in the lawn or home
- Mold and mildew growth
- A decrease in water pressure
- Water stains on the ceiling or the ceiling is sagging
- Damaged or warped flooring
An Increase in Water Bills
One other sign that homeowners may notice that points to a leak is high water bills. While a water leak can cause significant water damage that alerts homeowners to the leak, some leaks may not create visible water damage homeowners can see. But a leak in the water line will always waste water and increase the water bills.
So, monitoring a household’s monthly water bills is a great way to stay on top of the plumbing system's health and catch leaks. Even a small leak can waste significant amounts of water and money. So, when spikes occur, it should be a sign for homeowners to call a plumber for leak repair.
How to Use the Water Meter to Find a Leak
A homeowner can also detect a leak using their water meter with a few simple steps. A water meter is typically located outside in a concrete or plastic box. With a simple screwdriver, someone can open the lid and use the water meter for leak detection. Some have a leak indicator that makes it obvious, but even those without them can be helpful in leak identification.
To check for leaks with a water meter that doesn’t have a leak indicator, people can:
- Turn off all water-using fixtures and devices in the home (faucets, showers, sprinkler systems, clothes washers, dishwashers, etc.).
- Find the colored triangle or asterisk-shaped dial on the meter display and ensure nothing is moving while the water isn’t on.
- Take note of the meter’s reading and then return after an hour or so of not using any water.
- Check the reading again to see if it has changed. If it’s gotten higher when no water was used, it indicates a leak.
Once a homeowner suspects a leak due to any of these signs or methods, they should call a plumber to perform water leak detection and repair. Once fixed, water bills will go down, and any additional water damage can be avoided.
About Henco Plumbing Services
Henco Plumbing Services has been serving Vancouver, WA, and the surrounding areas since 2015. They provide flat-rate pricing, same-day service, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call today for water leak detection and repairs in Vancouver, WA.
