Water leaks aren’t always obvious. There may not be a puddle of water to notify you of a leak. Leaks can occur underground, within or outside the home and go unnoticed for days, weeks or even months. These hidden leaks can not only result in the waste of water but also higher water bills.
The following are some ways you can identify hidden water leaks in your home.
- Keep track of your usage
Has your bill risen? Has there been a significant change in your household activities to warrant the increase in your bill? Changes can be anything including hosting guests for an extended period or an extremely dry summer causing you to water your lawn more often. Keep track of your household’s water usage to determine if there is a reason for the rising water bills. If there is no change in your usage but your bills continue to rise, you could have a hidden leak.
- Monitor your water meter
This is one of the quickest ways to determine whether you have a hidden leak or not. Turn off all the faucets in your home. Ensure that all appliances that use water such as your washing machine or dishwasher are not running. Monitor your water meter for changes. If your meter changes in the first few minutes of shutting off all your faucets, you are dealing with a fast leak. If there are no changes, check again after an hour or two. If there are changes, you are dealing with a slower leak.
- Look for signs of moisture
Water pooling isn’t the only sign of water leaks. There are various other visible signs that you can look out for to identify hidden leaks. Look for mold or water stains on walls or floors and in the back of cabinets or under wash basins. There are instances when you may not see mold. However, you may notice a musty smell. This musty smell is often an indication of mold growth. Other signs of moisture include warping or rotting boards and peeling paint.
- Check your toilet
Toilets are a common culprit for leaking water. Toilet leaks can result in the loss of hundreds of gallons of water if they remain unattended for a long period.
An easy way to identify a leak is to place food coloring in the tank of the toilet and allow it to saturate the water. Do not flush the toilet for at least 30 minutes. Check the toilet bowl for food color. The presence of food color in the bowl indicates a leaking toilet tank.
- Check your faucets
Leaky faucets can result in the loss of hundreds of gallons of water if left uncorrected. Check your faucets for leaks. Are there drops of water leaking from your faucets? Are there water stains under the sink?
Identifying leaks quickly can help to reduce water wastage and keep your bills from rising. Use the tips above to determine if you have a hidden water leak.
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