Detecting Water Leaks

People don’t necessarily think about leaks until they hear dripping noises. Once they do, it’s all hands on deck to find the source! Leaks start as little things but grow into a serious problem. You can stop them in their tracks though, if you know what to look for.

 

Noisy pipes

Excess air in the pipes makes banging noises from inside the wall. That’s not just scary, it’s also sign of a leak. Air doesn’t invade pipes any other way. When you hear the noises it’s time to check fixtures, toilets and the showers. When water is running down the wall it means a pipe has burst or it’s about to. That’s when you need to get the plumber.

 

Wet pavers or tiles

Wet paved areas or tiles are another sign of a leak. Older foundations with cracks show water leakage quickly. When it hasn’t rained recently or nobody has spilt something, chances are the wet spot is from the pipes connected to the main water line. A bust from one of these will turn into an expensive mess. Plumbers who offer concrete cutting solutions will get to the pipes quickly.

 

Your meter tells all

When you suspect a leak, it won’t cost anything to do a home experiment. Numbers don’t lie that often. When you find the water meter, write down the numbers you see on the reading. Don’t use water for a few hours. Leave the house if you have too. Come back to the meter and check again. If the numbers have increased only a little, it’s just a small problem. A big increase is when you need to call someone for leak detection.

 

Your grass is greener

Main pipes run in any direction, including under the backyard. Finding a leak this way won’t happen immediately. Over a period, the grass in one area of the yard will look brighter or grow faster than other parts. When you walk on it the soil feels damp underfoot. “The grass is greener” expression is supposed to inspire positivity, not worry.