How to Find Hidden Leaks in Your Plumbing System

Undiscovered leaks in your plumbing can create some very serious damage. Mostly, homeowners are unaware of the existence of such leaks until they have already wreaked havoc in mold, water stains, or even structural concerns. Regular plumbing inspections may catch such leaks at a later stage and save you considerable costs. In this article, we will take a closer look at several ways of inspecting your plumbing for hidden leaks and also provide some practical tips on how to protect your home from water damage.

Start Checking Your Water Meter

Probably the easiest way to know if you have any hidden leak in your plumbing system is by checking the water meter. First, turn off all appliances, faucets, and fixtures in your house that use water. Double-check that everything is indeed off, including your dishwasher and clothes washer. When the water is turned completely off, go to your water meter and record the reading. Then, after an hour or two has passed, return to the meter and read it again. If the reading has altered, it will be a dead giveaway that somewhere in your plumbing something is leaking. This simple test can serve as the initial step to further investigation in pinpointing the source.

Look for Signs of Moisture

After you have carried out the water meter test, take a walk around your house and investigate those areas most susceptible to hidden leaks. Check for any signs of moisture on the walls, ceilings, and floors. The most obvious signs will be water stains, discoloration, or peeling paint or wallpaper. The concrete floors and foundation walls of basements or crawl spaces should be scanned for damp spots or standing water. Sometimes, moisture isn’t visible; however, an unpleasant odor or mold growth means there’s a leak somewhere nearby. Leaks here will most likely be less dramatic and invasive than leaks later on.

Check Under Sinks and Around Appliances

Other easy places for hidden leaks to occur are around sinks and appliances that have use of water like dishwashers, washing machines, and refrigerators. Plumbing connections under your kitchen and bathroom sinks should be inspected for dripping water or pooling. Even the tiniest trickle can be an indication of there being a slow leak that progressively worsens with time. Next, inspect all hoses going to your appliances for signs of cracks and loose fittings. Be extra cautious around the water heater, as these are very common on the bottom and out of immediate view. Regular inspection saves thousands in water damage.

How to Test for Toilet Leaks

Other common sources of hidden leaks include toilets. These leaks may go undetected for many years. Check for leak: A good way to check the leak in the toilet is by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank, waiting for about 10 to 15 minutes without flushing. Then check the toilet bowl for traces of the food coloring. The color in the bowl indicates that there is leakage of water continuously within the bowl through the flapper or other leakages in internal parts of the toilet. Replacement of such worn-out parts stops the leakage and saves you from receiving jacked-up water bills.

Inspect Outdoor Plumbing and Faucets

Amidst a plethora of indoor plumbing concerns, outdoor plumbing usually becomes a peripheral thought. Leaks in garden hoses, sprinkler systems, and outdoor faucets should be checked. For the most part, the outdoor faucets are going to be more prone to leaks because they are withstood against fluctuating weather conditions which will consequently result in cracks or worn-out washer areas. Outdoor plumbing can freeze and burst during winter when the water inside it freezes and expands, causing huge leaks consequently when the pipes melt. Keep your outdoor plumbing well serviced and install frost-proof faucets, if possible, to avoid winter-related leaks. The regular inspection of your outdoor plumbing may avoid waste and likely damages to your property.

Monitor Your Water Pressure

High water pressure results from the wear and tear your pipes go through and often leads to leaks. Whenever the water pressure becomes so high, it puts a lot of stress on plumbing joints, connections, and appliances. Also, an outdoor faucet-mounted pressure gauge is handy for keeping a tab on the amount of water pressure in your home. The ideal water pressure in a house should not exceed 40 to 60 psi. If for any reason your pressure happens to be above that, you really want to install a pressure regulator in order to avoid further leaks. In this way, you also avoid the actual water pressure that can cause further damage to your plumbing system.

Utilize Leak Detection Technology

As technology continues to evolve, leak detection has been made easier and quite accurate. Systems like the FloLogic can monitor the water usage of your house, watching for leaks that may happen long before you would ever notice. FloLogic works by monitoring the flow of water through your plumbing system to alert you in cases of patterns popping up out of the ordinary, including continuous water flow. It is such smart devices that will automatically turn off your water supply in the case of a major leak as part of their contribution to helping you avoid extensive water damage. Installation of the leak detection system is one of the proactive leak protection means aimed at guarding your home against hidden leaks and saving water.

Call a Professional Plumber for Comprehensive Inspection

Whereas DIY inspections are helpful, there are times when hidden leaks cannot be detected without the professional action of plumbers. Plumbers have special tools, such as infrared cameras and moisture meters that detect leaks not visible by the naked eye. It is not easy to inspect the whole plumbing system, especially what is behind the walls, under the foundation, and in the attic. Hiring a plumber for professional leak inspection saves one from headache and future costly repairs if one suspects a leak but can’t find it.

The main methods of preventing water damage and maintaining your house involve finding hidden leaks. It is a crucial process in maintaining your house. The process involves checking the water meter, searching for signs of moisture, inspecting areas under sinks and around appliances, testing toilets, and checking outdoor plumbing for early leaks. Coupled with modern leak detection devices like FloLogic, it enables professionals to be called in when needed to further protect your home from the nightmare of hidden plumbing issues. Catching things in advance through regular inspections and taking preventative measures will save money by not having costly repairs to deal with and protect your home for years.