Although repairing leaky pipes can be a relatively pain-free process, detecting them can be a much bigger challenge, especially because they can be completely silent. Before the water bill racks up, here are a few ways to detect leaks and possibly prevent them from happening in the future. To detect a leak, determine that there is a leak, then determine its location with a thorough search.

Leaks in your piping can be obvious, but they’re often times harder to detect. The first step is to confirm that your pipes are in fact leaking. Move all appliances you can out of their spots and inspect the surfaces. If any moisture is present on the floor or wall, then the appliance is leaking water (in either its connection to the system or in the appliance itself). If no moisture spots are found, then turn off every faucet or appliance that uses water. Mark a line on the water meter where the needle is pointing using a marker or a piece of tape. Don’t use any appliances, faucets, or fixtures for eight hours after the water meter was marked. Once eight hours have passed, check the needle on the meter. If it’s moved from its initial spot, then there’s a leak in the system.

When searching kitchens and bathrooms, check beneath the sinks with a flashlights to check for signs of moisture on the floor. This includes mold, mildew, water stains, dampness, and warped material. Clear out the area of cleaning supplies or other objects to get a clear look. Also check joints and the bottom of the P-trap for any moisture. A leak will be apparent if there seems to be corrosion on the pipes. If any of these signs show up, tighten fixtures and wipe away any moisture there. Turn the water back on to see if the problem was fixed. If it was not, the problem may be in the supply line. It will be apparent if the problem originates from there when the water is turned back on. If the problem is the supply line, have it replaced. If the problem is also happening at other water-using appliances like your dishwasher or your refrigerator, follow the same instructions to find and solve the leaking problem.

If the problem is not in any kitchens or bathrooms, then the leak is most likely inside the structure of the house. Examine the floors, walls, and ceilings near water-using appliances for any signs of a leak. Cracked, spongy, or warped spots on any surface may indicate a leak in the piping. Also check the surfaces directly below toilets, sinks, and other water-using appliances for any stains in the ceiling, and any bubbling or peeling wallpaper. Any of these will indicate a leak. However, it would be smart to contact a plumber so they can confirm the location of the leak and fix the problem before you start cutting holes in your home.

Further inspect exposed pipes in the basement and any crawlspaces your home may have. Similar to the scenarios above, check the area around exposed pipes for signs of leaking such as mildew, warped surfaces, rotting wood, or corrosion on the pipes. If any of these signs are present, then the pipe may have a leak in it. However, since gravity pulls water to lower levels, the signs of a leak may not be directly where the leak is. Keep this in mind and look around the area for the leak itself.

Finding leaks around your home can be a long and grueling process compared to the speed of its repair. However, it is a necessary step and it’s important to have the knowledge needed to find these leaks. Using the instructions above, you can efficiently locate any leaks you may have in your home, and take care of them before they grow to damage your home.

Aug 17th 2016

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