3 Ways To Catch Leaks Before They Can Waste More Water and Do More Damage
It's estimated that household water leaks waste around 1 trillion gallons of water annually in the U.S.; that's about a year's worth for 11 million homes. At the individual household level, homeowners could be losing up to 10,000 gallons of water every year to leaks that go unfixed. Not only can these leaks increase the monthly water bills, but they can also cause considerable damage to the home and its foundation.
But water leaks aren't always as obvious as a dripping faucet. Many leaks could be hidden behind walls or underneath the ground, potentially going unnoticed for months. So, to help homeowners find and eliminate leaks before an emergency, here are a few tips for catching water leaks!
Common Signs of Water Leaks To Watch Out For
Water leaks come in many forms and can occur for various reasons. Pipe corrosion, old age, wear & tear, loose joints or fittings, and worn valves can lead to leaks in all areas of the plumbing system. And since most of the home's plumbing system is tucked away behind walls or under floors, it can be tricky to spot them, especially if they're small – but most leaks reveal their existence. Some of the most common signs of a water leak include:
- Stains or discoloration on walls or ceilings
- Wet spots or water stains under sinks or near fixtures
- Warped wood, peeling paint, or bubbling wallpaper
- Mold growth or musty smells
- The sound of running water when no fixtures are in use
- Toilets run for no reason or make trickling noises
- Soggy spots in the yard (indicates an underground pipe leak)
- Warm spots on the floor (may indicate a hot water line leak under the foundation)
If homeowners notice any of these signs, they would do well to call a professional for leak detection!
Beware of Unusually High Water Bills
Another hint that there may be a water leak somewhere in the house is if the water bill is unusually high. A high water bill that homeowners can't otherwise explain may result from water seeping out of a pipe and driving up the home's water usage without them realizing it.
While this can be helpful as a way to detect hidden water leaks, that's about its only silver lining. Even small leaks can significantly increase utility costs every month, so as soon as homeowners notice that their water bill is higher than normal, they should consider calling in a pro for water leak repair. Aside from the money a leak costs them on water alone, it may cost them even more to repair whatever damage the leak has already caused.
Check the Water Meter
Finally, a relatively surefire way to determine whether or not there's a leak in the house is to check the water meter. To do this properly, homeowners need to go to their water meter and note the numbers on the meter's face. Then, they can wait an hour or two, ensuring they do not use water during the interval. After one or two hours, they can check the meter again to see if the numbers have changed. If they have, there's almost certainly a leak.
Some water meters also have a small asterisk- or triangle-shaped dial inside a bubble on the meter face that will spin when water is used. If this dial spins when no plumbing fixtures are in use, it indicates a leak.
Of course, knowing that there's a leak and finding the location of the leak - or, heaven forbid, multiple leaks - are two different things. That's why plumbers and leak detection specialists use advanced equipment, such as acoustic listening devices, to pinpoint leaks quickly and accurately. This helps make the leak repair process much less time-consuming and invasive so homeowners can return to their routines quickly!
About Dutch Enterprises
Dutch Enterprises has been Cape Girardeau's go-to resource for plumbing and HVAC since 1962. Their honesty, unbeatable workmanship, and outstanding customer service have earned them numerous 5-star reviews and awards, including the BBB Torch Award for Ethics and Service. They offer free estimates, financing, a money-saving maintenance plan, and 24-hour emergency service – so don't hesitate to call Dutch for plumbing service in Cape Girardeau, MO!
