Mar5

By Dave Bangar

How to Detect and Fix Hidden Plumbing Leaks

You may have heard that small problems when left ignored can quickly turn into big ones. This is especially true with water leaks in your home. Water leaks that go undetected can lead to major damage for your home and may require thousands of dollars in repairs.

There are some clear indicators of water leaks in your home but there are also some less obvious methods of detecting hidden leaks.

Keep reading to learn some of the strategies for finding plumbing leaks, how to perform basic repairs for leaks, and when to seek professional help from a plumber.

Uncovering Hidden Leaks

Water leak detection is the first preventative measure for safeguarding your home against expensive water damage. Here are some of the ways in which you can discover potential hidden leaks before they get out of hand.

Test Water Pressure

Testing your water pressure is an easy way to uncover a water leak in your home. If the water pressure in your faucets and shower is flowing lower than normal then this can be an indication of a water leak.

Checking Water Metre

Another easy way to detect a water leak is to turn off all faucets, appliances, sprinklers, and fixtures in your home and check the water metre for any changes. A fast-moving leak will cause the metre to change quickly. If it does not change immediately, return in a few hours and check again, if it moves then you likely have a slow-moving leak.

Testing Your Appliances

To uncover leaks coming from your appliances first disconnect them from outlets. Then look around for dripping or puddles of water beneath or behind them until you find the culprit.

Use Food Colouring

Toilets are often a source of leaks, especially older ones. To check for leaks in a toilet, remove the tank lid and add a few drops of food colouring into the tank. Before flushing, wait overnight or a few hours and see if any of the food colouring is in the bowl. If you notice colour in the water, then your toilet likely has a leak.

Compare Water Bills

Review your past water bills and compare them with your current bill. If you notice a spike in your normal water usage then you may have a hidden leak.

Check Outside

A water leak can also be taking place outside of your home. Check any outdoor faucets, spigots, or sprinklers for dripping water. Grass patches that are overly green can also be a sign of a hidden leak.

Use Your Eyes, Ears, and Nose

Be on the lookout for any damp or moist areas around your walls, ceiling, cabinets, kitchen, bathroom, etc. Listening for sounds of water dripping can also be an effective method for detecting a leak. Foul smells and mould are also indicative of water leaking in your home.

Tips for Repairing Leaks

If you have detected a water leak in your home, there are a number of different ways to fix it. Here are some of the most common types of leaks and basic plumbing repair tips to fix them.

Leaky Faucet

First turn off your water supply, then open the tap washer and look for any debris. If there are blockages, wipe the washer clean and replace it on the tap. If the seal is worn or damaged, it will need to be replaced.

Leaky Shower Head

After turning off the water supply, remove the shower head to clean the screen and rubber O-rings. Next clean off the threads with a scrub brush, if necessary wrap the threads with sealing tape.

Leaky Toilet

If your toilet is leaking into the base after you flush then you may have a worn out wax ring. This is a straightforward toilet repair which requires replacing the seal by unscrewing the surrounding closet bolts and installing a new wax ring.

Plastic Pipe

If you have identified a leaking pipe, shut your water supply off immediately. If the pipe is accessible and you have the knowledge, replace that section. For a quick fix while you wait for a plumber use epoxy or sealing tape and create a seal around the pipe.

When Should I Seek Professional Help?

If you are unsure about the presence of a hidden leak or if you have identified the source of a leak, it’s best to contact a professional plumber. A plumber will be able to employ special tools and methods to detect water leaks that the average person will otherwise be unable to do. They will also provide plumbing services to fix the leak and assess any potential damages while also preventing the leak from occuring again.

If you suspect major damage from a water leak or are unsure about the scope of the damage, immediately turn off your water supply. Then contact a 24/7 emergency plumbing service to come out as soon as possible to fix the problem.

My Plumber Kelowna is available to provide all of these high-quality services to you and is here to ensure that your home is safe from hidden plumbing leaks.