Spotting a Water Leak in Your Home

A water leak in your home can be a disaster.

Not only can it lead to serious damage to your home, but it can also wrack up a big water bill. Most importantly, it can cause serious health problems and even be life-threatening.

It’s important to know how to spot one early. That’s why we’ve put together these tips to spot the warning signs early.

Rising Water Bill 

Keep an eye on your water bill and see if you notice any unusual increases in the cost. Unless your daily water use has changed recently, such as having guests over, then a significant increase in your water bill could mean a leak.

You might not be able to find the leak, since some of your pipes are located underground. If you notice your bill going up but you can’t find a leak, you might want to contact a professional plumber to locate it for you.

Check for Leaks

You can check for leaks yourself simply by using food coloring. For example, you can check your toilet by putting drops of food coloring into the back tank. Wait for 30 minutes then check to see if the food coloring is there.

If the water is clear, it means it the coloring has leaked out, whereas if you see the color, then no leak is present. Just be sure not to flush during the wait time. Leaky faucets can easily be detected if they continue to drip after you turn the water off.

Faucets are an easy fix. Most often you can tighten the faucet to stop the leak using the right tools.

Water Meter

If you don’t want to wait for a hefty bill to discover you have a leak, then you can track your water meter instead. You can see if you currently have a leak by turning off all of the water inside of your home including the washing machine and dishwasher.

If your water meter is still running, then this could mean there is a leak in your home. You should wait at least a couple of hours to see if you notice a change. Slower moving leaks might not be obvious at first.

Water Stains

A house with water damage is more than just an expense, it can also be a health risk. If your home is leaking water, it can lead to mold and allergens in the air. These can lead to serious respiratory issues and pose a threat to you, your family, and your pets.

You may not realize there is water damage if the stains are appearing inside the walls. If you see slight discolorations on the wall, floor, or ceiling, it could be a water leak. The best places to look are in the corners where walls meet the ceiling or floor.

There could also be paint damage and warped floorboards, since wood and paint are often the first to show water damage. You could even hear the sound of dripping water.

Humidity

Another sign that your home might be leaking water from outside is a general feeling of dampness and humidity inside the home. This could lead to mold which can be very dangerous to your health. You may even notice wetness on surfaces where you shouldn’t, such as counters and walls.

If you notice that your health is declining, and can’t pinpoint why, then it could be the result of a water leak in your home.

Don’t Ignore a Water Leak

The sooner you detect and take care of a water leak, the better. Don’t wait for a water leak to spread before contacting a professional.

If you need help in restoring your home after a water leak, don’t hesitate to contact us for help.