A fully functioning water system in your home is key to having a comfortable and sanitary home. Water leaks can be a major problem in any home or apartment. Water leaks happen frequently, but identifying the source of the water leak can be tricky. When there is a leak, you want to resolve the problem immediately.
With time, it will only get worse. The larger the leak, the more damage and the more money you lose from water loss. If left unchecked, water leaks can lead to mold growth, which can harm your home and the health of your home’s occupants. Thankfully, some steps can be taken to find leaks fast.
Finding Hidden Leaks
If you look at your walls and see a yellowish or brown discoloration or if there are visible water stains, this indicates a water leak behind the drywall. Another way your walls tell you that there is a leak is buckling wallpaper or flaking and bubbling paint. Sometimes, you can hear the water dripping from behind the wall.
Since a leak behind the wall is hidden, you may need to look for other telltale signs that it is happening. For example, pay attention to your utility bills. A hidden leak often shows itself via spikes in your water bill.
Your water meter will also let you know if your home has a hidden leak. Your home’s water meter is usually located near the street where the water supply line comes into contact with the house. If you suspect a behind-the-wall leak, turn off all the faucets in your home and ensure all other appliances that use water have been disconnected. Then go out to your water meter and jot down the number you see. Come back again in one hour and check the meter. If the number has changed, this indicates some type of leak.
Your water meter can help you pinpoint if a leak is inside or outside your home. Shut off the valve to the main water supply and jot down the numbers on the meter. Come back in one hour and check the meter. If the numbers are unchanged, the leak is probably inside your home. However, if the numbers did change, then the leak may be in a buried water line that runs to the house.
Check Your Yard
Outdoor water leaks are very common. When you look at the condition of your yard, you may be able to pinpoint where the leak is coming from. For example, you might have some plants or a patch of grass that seems to be growing faster than other areas. This could indicate that they’re getting more water from a water leak. If the leak is exceptionally big, you might see puddles accumulating in your yard.
Signs of a Faucet Leak
At first glance, a dripping faucet doesn’t seem to waste that much water. However, a faucet that drips one time per second could waste up to 3,000 gallons of water each year. That’s a ton of water lost; you pay for each drip. Leaky faucets can cause permanent staining and affect your home’s landscape and foundation.
The easiest way to spot a leaky faucet is to see or hear the dripping water. If you suspect you have a leaky faucet, look at your water bill. A person uses between 80 and 100 gallons of water daily. If your water bill is skyrocketing out of nowhere and there are no additional people in your home, a leak can be the cause.
In most facets, rubber washers that have dried out or become damaged are the cause of leaks. Having the rubber washer replaced by a professional is a relatively straightforward job. While your plumber is replacing the washer, they can evaluate the rest of the sink, shower, or tub to determine if there are other areas that also need to be repaired.
Use Food Coloring
The toilet is a major source of leaks. This is especially true with the toilet flapper. The flapper is a rubber stopper that prevents the water from getting into the bowl until you flush the toilet. With time, the flapper will become worn or rigid.
This will lead to water trickling from the tank into the bowl. If your toilet leaks, you are going to see a higher-than-normal water bill. A simple way to check if there is a leak is to put a little food coloring in the tank of the toilet. There’s a leak if you see food coloring coming into the toilet bowl. From there, you can call a professional plumber and have them make the needed fixes.
Another place to evaluate is a toilet handle. When you remove the lid and flush the toilet, you want to ensure the handle functions smoothly. The chain should be properly connected to the handle. If the chain is too short, it could lead to the flapper sitting up by a few millimeters, allowing water to run out continually.
Finding a Leak in Your Attic
If there are stains on your ceiling, it’s likely there’s a leak in your roof. When there is a leak in your roof, you are dealing with a major issue that impacts the structure and safety of your home. This is something that you want to address as quickly as possible. You may want to examine your attic using a flashlight when there is heavy rainfall. Search for signs of moisture. Stains, moisture, or deteriorated insulation are all indications of a leak.
When There Is Water on the Floor
When there’s water on the floor, it’s a major plumbing problem. When a water leak on the floor reaches your drywall, it can damage it, leading to expensive repairs.
Check if the water on the floor comes from your walls or ceiling. If it is not, then look at plumbing fixtures nearby. Look for leaks by drains in the kitchen, or look for leaks from appliances or pipes under the sink. If none of these places is the culprit, then you can assume the water is coming up through the floor due to a slab leak. This happens more frequently in older homes with cast iron pipes affected by corrosion. Slab leaks are no easy fix and will require the assistance of a plumbing professional to repair them.
Expert Sanitization Services
At Pur360, we understand how frustrating it is to deal with mold issues caused by undetected leaks. For that reason, we make it our aim to remove the stress from dealing with mold in your home. We proudly provide friendly technicians trained to get the job done right each time. Our team starts by inspecting your home.
Then we work meticulously to find mold growth and what is causing it. We are committed to helping you understand the steps needed to permanently remove mold. We are mold-certified technicians. We have won many awards, including the Angi Super Service Award and the Elite Service Award from Home Advisor.
Our services include odor removal, ultraviolet sanitization, drywall repair and removal, carpet removal and disposal, painting, attic stain removal, mold remediation, mold testing, and restoration. Contact Pur360 today and see why our services are highly prized.
