Water is one of the most precious resources we have. Considering that many parts of the world don’t even have flowing potable water, the least that people who live in areas with abundant water could do is to make an effort to conserve water. Any effort to conserve water, however, goes to naught when you have an indoor water leak. A leaking tap, for instance, does not seem to waste that much water so you procrastinate getting it fixed. In reality, however, a leaking tap that is left alone can waste litres upon litres of water, and that will certainly reflect in your next water bill.
Undetected water leaks are costly, and that is why detecting indoor water leaks is important. Here are some tips on how to do it.
Leaking Taps
A tap leak is the most common kind of water leak, as well as the easiest to detect and fix. Just turn off any tap in your home, and observe. If water continues to drip, then you’ll know you have a tap leak. Replacing a leaking tap can be done easily and quickly with the right tools.
Toilet leaks
Detecting a toilet leak requires a bit more of an effort on your part. A sure sign that there is a leak somewhere in your toilet is a hissing sound. When you hear that sound coming from your toilet and you want to confirm that there is, indeed, a leak, drop some food colouring into the toilet tank. Leave it there for a few minutes, then check the water in the bowl. If it has any hint of colouring, then you officially have a water leak, specifically in the flapper at the bottom of the toilet tank.
Water heater leaks
Does water pool at the base of your water heater? If the answer is yes, then you probably have a water heater leak. However, pooled water under the tank doesn’t always mean a water leak, since the water heater, the pipes and the appliances in the vicinity can form condensation, which can accumulate and drip to the floor. This becomes even more likely during damp weather or if you have your water in a basement.
To determine if the pooled water is actually being caused by a water leak, look for obvious signs of a water leak on the water heater and its plumbing fittings, like the pressure relief valve. If you don’t find any cracks on the tank or leaks in the fittings, see if pipes overhead, if any, are actually leaking.
If you still don’t find any clear sign of the source of the leak, put some paper towels over the area where the water pooled. Check on it every few hours. If the paper towels remain dry after a day or so, then you have nothing to worry about. However, if the paper towels are soaked and water pools again, you probably have a water heater leak. In this case, ask a professional plumber to check on it.
Other water leaks
If you have checked that you have none of the above types of water leakages, and your home’s water meter still keeps counting up with all taps closed, you may have a water leakage within the plumbing of your home. This is definitely the time to call in a professional.
Fixing your water leaks
Even if it is just a tap, you still need the right tools, fitting replacement parts and skill to ensure everything is put together water tight. So, if you need help dealing with water leaks, give Ready Set Plumb a call, and we’ll fix it for you right away – for good.
