Water is an essential commodity and should be conserved at all costs. Leaky plumbing leads to the wastage of water which is profitable for other purposes. It also leads to high water bills. For utility companies and water providers, water leak detection services are the lifeblood of their operations. For underground leaks that go undetected, the cost can be immeasurable to the local community as well as to the utility company that is forced to foot the bill.
Moreover, the presence of moisture in places it is not supposed to be could be potentially damaging for the interiors. If it comes in contact with walls, then it leads to seepage, dull and flaky walls. If it comes in contact with wooden furnishings, then it causes them to rot or significantly deteriorate in quality. In the case of metal objects, constant contact with moisture can lead to accelerated rusting. It’s necessary to hire water leak detection professionals in order to have an efficient plumbing repair job.
An undetected leak can also seriously weaken the foundation of your home. Leaks sneak up on you and remain undetected for years until a severe problem is encountered. It is crucial, therefore, to find a leak and repair it as soon as you can. Leak detection plumbing helps with that.
Commonly Spotted Plumbing Faults
Here are specific steps that you can follow to timely detect potential leaks:
Check the Water Meter:
The water meter at your home can tell you for sure whether or not there is a leak. You have to spend some time monitoring it. The meter is usually installed on the sides or at the back of the house, or below the drain cover on the street where the water pipeline enters the house. For leak detection plumbing turn off all the taps and appliances that use water. Then, note the numbers displayed on the meter. Come back after an interval of an hour or so to check the meter reading. If the numbers have changed, then there is a leak.
Keep Track of the Water Bill:
A household’s monthly water bill remains constant more or less unless there are any new additions to the household. If you start getting unexpectedly high water bills suddenly and your water consumption has been typical, then you may have leakage at hand.
Check For Stray Patches of Grass:
Stray patches of grass or moss on your walls or a particular area have a greater density of grass than the rest of the lawn indicates leakage. In cases where the leakage is severe, you will also see water puddles.
Monitor Your Water Fixtures and Other Appliances:
The step is implemented after you have detected a leak using the water meter. Thoroughly check your kitchen and your bathroom walls, floors, pipes, cabinets and sinks to ensure they are dry. Look out for puddles around taps, showers, water heaters, washing machines and the dishwasher. The plumber will most likely advise you to install leak detection plumbing.
Monitor the Toilets:
Washrooms are common spots for water leakage. If you cannot detect leaks around showers, taps, kitchen or appliances, check if the toilet pipes need to be repaired. All toilets have a rubber stopper called the flapper that keeps water from entering until you use the flush.
Gradually with time, the flapper gets thinned or damaged, which leads to leakage. There is a simple test to detect a leaky toilet called the dye test. Take ink or a bottle of food colour and put a few drops in the flush tank. If there is any leakage, the colour will be visible on the toilet bowl. If that is the case, then cut off the water supply and immediately call the plumber.
These were some simple yet effective methods to detect leaks. You can also install leak detection plumbing which tells you exactly where the leakage is. Hire the best professional in your locality and fix the issue right away. So be proactive and prevent water leakage now.
