3 Ways To Detect A Water Leak in Your Home

The typical home can lose between 2,000 and 20,000 gallons of water per year due to water leaks.

Water Leaks Are A Hidden Danger

Water leaks can cause extensive damage to a home, are costly to homeowners, and contribute to the destruction of other structures and materials. An immediate situation that needs to be addressed, water leaks range from small drips to large floods, so finding the source of the leak is the first step to solving the problem.

Causes of Water Leaks

Here are a few of the main causes of water leaks in the home.

Damaged plumbing equipment - Rusted, old, cracked, or improperly installed plumbing pipes and equipment causes water to seep out.

Dripping taps - Taps leak either because people do not turn them off well enough or turn them off too tight, causing the tap washer to break.

Damaged equipment supply line - An appliance like a dishwasher or washing machine may have a damaged water supply line, allowing for water seepage around the unit.

Weather-related - Extreme outdoor conditions like storms and freezing temperatures may cause flooding and burst pipes in the home, causing leakage.

Ways to Identify A Water Leak

The sources of many leaks go undetected due to invisibility but eventually will cause irreparable damage to the home. Based on the type of leak, repairs could range from simple to extensive. Identifying water leaks beforehand may be done in the following ways:

Check the pressure relief valve on the hot water tank. Some valves do not have a drain pipe and are installed directly into a drain system, so listen for a hissing sound, indicating a leak.

Check the toilet for leaks by removing the top off the tank and listening very closely. Just like a hot water tank, a hissing sound is a leak indicator.

Check the water meter line. First, turn off the shut-off valve, which may be located in the basement or on the home exterior. Second, remove the meter head (cover) and see if the meter is turning. If so, there is a leak between the meter and the house.

Some leaks are minor repairs that can be done, but enlisting the services of a licensed and bonded plumbing professional is the best option to consider because of possible underlying structural issues. In the long run, homeowners will save a lot of time and money.

Call Kellie Plumbing at (317) 738-2707 today to get your Franklin, IN system checked out by a professional plumber!