As a homeowner, you probably know the damage a leak can do, especially if it goes unattended to for a long period of time. If you ever have the slightest feeling that you have a leak in your home – do not ignore it!
There are ways you can check, and signs you can look for, to determine if your inclination was correct, and us here at Radiant Plumbing think it’s worth a shot.
How to Check for a Leak
- Is your water bill unusually high, and you’re not quite sure of the reason? If you know it’s not because the rates went up, and you’re positive your family hasn’t been using extra water, then that is a clear sign you have a leak.
- How is your toilet functioning? Faulty toilets can account for up to 200 gallons wasted water per day! That is a lot of money you’re wasting, when there’s a very simple way you can check for leaks. It’s a good idea to periodically put a couple drops of food coloring into the tank and watch what happens. If it appears in the bowl without flushing, then you have a leak. By catching it so quickly, you can save yourself a lot of aggravation.
- How much water is your family using? You may think this contributes to how high your water bill is, but it can actually put your home at risk for a leak, too. If a home with a family of four is using more than 12,000 gallons of water per month, there’s a possibility for a leak to develop.
- Have you checked on your irrigation system lately? Whether or not you are using it currently, it’s important to understand that leaks can form outside the home just as well as inside. You need to be cautious of how your sprinkler system is running because even the tiniest holes can create a leak, and result in you wasting a bundle of water and money.
- Have you checked your water meter? This is a good way to confirm any leak suspicions you may have. Turn off all the water fixtures in your home and take a peek at your water meter. If it changed instantly, you have a leak that’s moving fast. Not seeing a change, though, doesn’t mean you are home free just yet. Wait ten minutes with the water off and come back. If the reading has changed, even slightly, then unfortunately you are still dealing with a leak.
Even if the above tips didn’t help you confirm your leak, you should still call Radiant Plumbing to have us perform a leak detection. You don’t want any potential leaks to get worse, causing damage to your home. Call us today!
