Detect Water Leaks And Protect Your Property

By Author: Zac Mealmaker
Total Articles: 68
Comment this article

The silent saboteurs that lie beneath the surface of your home, leaky pipes, may cause disaster. The effects can be severe, ranging from warped floors and mould development to ballooning water costs. But do not worry. Maintaining a healthy plumbing system and keeping your wallet happy may be achieved by being proactive with prevention, upkeep, and fast leak detection and repair. An effective offensive is the best protection against leaking pipes. Here are some essential tactics to stop leaks before they begin. Make it a habit to visually check your pipes for any indications of problems. Examine joints and connections for bulging, cracks, corrosion, or any moisture. Extremely cold places, such as crawlspaces and behind cabinets, should be closely monitored. Insulate exposed pipes in colder climes, such as those found in your garage, basement, or attic. As freezing is a primary cause of burst pipes, this helps avoid it. Fibreglass or foam pipe sleeves are widely available and simple to install. Elevated water pressure might cause excessive strain on your pipes, raising the possibility of water leaks. You may test your water pressure ...
... with the aid of a pressure gauge that is fastened to an outside hose bib. Consider adding a pressure regulator to your main water line if the pressure rises above 80 psi. Another thing to remember is to watch out for water-using equipment, such as refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing machines. Look for any loose connections or hoses at the water supply valves. Refrain from treating valves and faucets too roughly. Damage from overtightening may result in leaks later on. To get rid of leaking water pipes you can follow the tips mentioned below. 
Monitor your water bill
You might have a leak if your water bill has increased unexpectedly without you altering your water usage patterns. To determine whether there has been a consistent increase, get some bills from prior months and compare them. Every month, you should receive a steady water bill. Some of your water pipes are installed underground, so if the issue is there, you might not even see any water pools. Get all of your plumbing pipes inspected by a licenced plumber to ensure that everything is operating at peak efficiency.
Check your water meter
One of the best ways to find out whether you have a leak is to check your water metre. First, turn off the water in the entire house. See if the water metre is moving by keeping an eye on it. You have a fast-moving water leak if the metre moves even after all water taps are off. An alternative is to check the metre once more after waiting a few hours. Your leak is slower if you observe a noticeable change while the water is off.
Use food colouring
One of the most frequent sources of plumbing leaks in houses is most likely the toilet. Toilets are particularly vulnerable to damage from leaks because of their placement on higher floors and connection to waste pipes. Put some food colouring drops in the tank above the toilet to find leaks. Avoid flushing. Keep a close eye out for any changes in the toilet water after waiting a few minutes. There is a water leak between the tank and the toilet bowl if the colour of the water in the bowl changes.
Look for stains or damp areas on the ceiling right below the toilet. It's a good idea to measure the distance between the toilet and the stain in order to verify the source. One method of identifying which pipe is leaking is to look for water puddles that usually occur close to the site of the leak.
Evaluate exterior usage
Leaks in the plumbing can happen indoors or outside. Use a garden hose to inspect your outside faucets to see if any water leaks through the connection while the hose is running. If so, make sure the connection is tight and replace the rubber gasket on the hose. Once a year, have your irrigation system inspected by a professional. Even the smallest leak in an irrigation system might be wasting gallons of water per month.
Check hidden pipes
Plumbing pipes can be concealed under walls, concrete slabs, ceilings, or basements in addition to subterranean pipes. Although it's not always simple, it is possible to verify a water leak coming from a concealed pipe. Start with the previously mentioned metre test. Next, look for areas with mould, mildew, or decaying wood on the walls, ceilings, or flooring. These indicate the presence of a hidden pipe plumbing leak. Examining leaks from concealed pipes can also be done by feeling for heat coming from a subsurface location. When pressurised water strikes a surface at a high speed for an extended length of time, heat is generated. However, if you hire professionals then they will come and check such issues at your place. 
Check large appliances
Examine the top portion of your water heater where the water enters and exits the tank. Due of the tubes' vulnerability to high pressure as they enter and exit the tank, heaters frequently malfunction at these locations. Examine the entry point where the lines contact the tank for any signs of a lost seal. Examine the valve that releases pressure near the tank. Older valves should absolutely be changed when they exhibit wear and tear because they may leak from time to time.
 
About the Author: This contribution has been made by Zac Mealmaker who has written a number of articles on Leaking Water Pipes and provides fruitful information.