Hidden Leak Detection in Lacey WA
Water is among the most valuable and vital renewable resources. It can also create the greatest destruction in the household when leaks grow out of control and floods develop. It’s not always easy to spot leaks unless there are some sort of visual cues.
Many homeowners are caught unaware with escalating damages and costly repairs after the fact.
Fortunately, it doesn’t need to be that way. Plumbing companies such as Hardie Plumbing in Lacey, WA, offer advanced leak detection services. These plumbers are highly trained and have extensive experience in finding and resolving leaks. They further educate homeowners on finding hidden leaks.
How can you detect leaks that aren’t visually apparent? Let’s review a few tips to help you with early detection.
Early Detection of Hidden Water Leaks
Homeowners tend to look for leaks only when there’s a sign of a problem. If the tap is dripping or there are puddles under the sink, or the toilet base is moist, these are the red flags many look for. Unfortunately, many water leaks are less obvious.
By the time they’re discovered, there’s significant water damage and the potential for mold and mildew growth. Visit - How To Find and Repair Hidden Plumbing Leaks | Family Handyman - for tips on finding and repairing hidden plumbing leaks. Consider the following ways to detect that you have a water leak that’s not visually apparent.
Check the pipes below the sink
One of the easiest ways to detect leaks is by inspecting the pipes beneath the sink. These pipes use different connections, and leaks can happen without these having a tight seal. P-traps that are improperly installed can also be an underlying cause for leaks.
Look for dampness, mold, and the potential for a musty smell beneath the sink If you notice any of these things, you will want to tighten the pipe connections to prevent the possibility of leaks. Avoid tightening these too much to avoid damage to the hardware.
The water meter
Detecting hidden water leaks is trial and error more often than not. However, monitoring the water meter is a good way to detect a water leak present in the household. First all the water in the home should be shut off including all appliances. Pay attention to the number on the water meter.
You want to check it again after an hour passes without any water being used in that time frame. If the number changes, there’s a leak somewhere. Determining if the water leak is outside or indoors requires shutting off the main water supply valve, again, for an hour.
See how the number change in that timespan. If the number changes, the leak is outdoors. If it remains the same, it’s inside.
Monitor your water bill
You should have a consistent pattern with your water bill if you live in the home over a six-month time period. If the bill spikes with no unusual usage, this is reason to suspect a leak in the home. Before assuming, it’s important to check with everyone in the house to make sure no one has changed their usage habits.
This is a reason to reach out to a professional plumber to find the root cause of the higher utility costs. The expert will find the leak and make the necessary repairs to avoid the potential for water damage or mold and mildew growth. Read here for ways to detect leaks in your home.
Water stains
High water bills are often only one aspect of the leak problem. You might want to check for other signs. Whie water evaporates rapidly in the warmer months leaving no signs of a water leak, sewage tends to leave foul odors and staining behind.
You should find puddles on the lawn and water stains in the house. Signs to reach out to a qualified plumbing company immediately.
Running water
Many hidden water leaks are less obvious with no odors or visual signs. However, some you can hear, enabling you to find the underlying cause of the damage. Some leaks have sound like a drip to give a clue as to the general location.
Others offer a more aggressive sound like hissing, whining, roaring, squealing, or banging.
Food coloring test
Homeowners don’t always find leaks in pipes but in fixtures such as toilets. The flapper or the stopper that prevents water moving into the bowl can become brittle. As a result, the tan will trickle water into the bowl.
Homeowners can use food coloring to check if the toilet has an internal leak. A few drops in the tank to see if the color enters the bowl after roughly five minutes If so, the leak is due to the flapper.
Final Thought
DIY methods can help detect hidden water leaks but there’s nothing like a Lacey, WA, professional plumber’s assessment. These experts are equipped with specialized tools and equipment to locate leaks and keep the system efficient.
