How to Find a Slow Leak in Your Plumbing
The worst water leak in your home is the one you don’t know about. Large leaks that show clear signs of water are easier to spot and resolve, but it’s the slow plumbing leak that can escape your attention and steadily cause more damage than you can expect.
When identifying if your home has a slow leak or not, are there any obvious signs? Do some reconnaissance around the house and follow a couple tips to help you discover if there is indeed a slow leak or not.
One way to do so may not even involve getting your hands wet. First off, turn off all taps and outlets in your home, then get a reading on your water meter. Wait anywhere from 15 to 60 minutes and check the meter again. If you notice a change in the numbers, then you may have a leak.
The toilets in your home should be the next spot you check. Leaking toilets can be hard to detect, and you need to look at the major culprits. The connection between the tank and the bowl is a great place to check, and a leak there might be caused by a faulty flapper. The flapper is necessary to keep water in the tank until you flush, but if that seal is not tight, water can continue to run.
Faucets are also sources of leaks, and can be clearly seen if you see drips dropping. Although this is a common issue, it is also a sign that something worse might go on with your plumbing. Fixing a leaking faucet in your sink can be as easy as replacing a washer, but if it’s a leak on an outdoor tap or hose, then more work may be required.
The trickiest of plumbing leak to detect is the ones that’s not even in your house. Underground leaks are those that deal with the water pipes that connect your home to the city’s water main. When those pipes erode or deteriorate, water will escape into the soil and flood your lawn, or it can flow into your home and cause structural damage.
Knowing how and where some slow leaks might occur can help you fix the issue before water damage becomes too severe. For more information on locating slow leaks around your house, call the professionals at Sunrise Heating and Plumbing today at (616) 293-9326. We pride ourselves in providing nothing but exceptional customer service.