In most cases, the water line connected to your home has a meter for the purposes of billing and accountability. A leak on your line can cost you hundreds of dollars per year, especially if it goes on for a long time without being detected. Early detection and repair of leaks can greatly help to prevent future catastrophic damages to your property, and save you lots of money in water bills.
If you’ve noticed unexplained increases in your water bill recently without changing your water usage, it could be due to a leak. Here are some leak detection methods to help you detect any leaks inside and outside of your home.
Monitor Your Water Bill
One of the methods to detect leaks in your home is through monitoring your water bill. When you know the average amount of water you household uses, it’ll be easier for you to know if you’re consuming too much water.
If your water use suddenly increases, first find out if it’s being caused by changes in your daily consumption. If not, the increase may be due to a leak somewhere in your home. Ask your water provider to give you a record of your water use in the last couple of months, to help you know if you’re having a leak or not.
Use Your Water Meter To Detect Leaks
A more practical method to find out if your plumbing system has a leak is by checking your water meter. Though it will not tell you where the leak is coming from, it will confirm your suspicions that you have a problem.
First, you need to make sure that no water is being used inside or outside your home, by turning off all water-consuming appliances. After that, locate your meter (it’s usually located near the sidewalk at the front of your house). Read and record the black and red numbers on the meter. Wait for 30 minutes or one hour and take another reading. If the red numbers have changed, it confirms that you have a leak.
Once you’ve verified that there’s a leak in your home, take the following measures before contacting a professional:
Check the Toilet
Listen to the sound of water trickling out of your toilet tank. If you suspect there’s leakage through the flapper valve, put a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. Wait for five minutes without flushing, if the color shows up in the toilet bowl, it means you’re having a leak.
Check Your Shower Heads, Faucets and Outdoor Spigots
A significant amount of water is wasted daily from leaky shower heads, faucets and outdoor spigots. So, make sure you inspect these items regularly for leaks.
Inspect Your Main Supply Line
Check the ground along the line between your water meter and the main water shutoff valve. If you notice muddy or dump spots, it may indicate that there’s an underground leak in your main supply line.
Use these simple leak detection methods to help you know if there’s water leaking from your home, then call in a licensed plumber to diagnose and fix the problem immediately. It will surely save you thousands of dollars in water bill and prevent potential damage to your home.