It’s a leaky business
The thing about water leaks is that often, you don’t even know they’re happening. A dripping tap is obvious because you can see and hear it. But a concealed, undetectable leak? Those are much harder to spot.
Identifying whether you have a leak means checking for the following:
- Can you hear running water even though no taps, appliances or evaporative coolers are turned on?
- Has your water bill been climbing over the past few months?
- Are there any unidentified, foul-smelling odours around the house?
- Do your walls or floors have unexplainable wet areas?
- Is your water metre changing even when you aren’t using water?
Leak detection
Inside
Faucets: Using a torch, look for moisture under the sink. If you find any, clear out the cupboard and search for water stains, mould or peeling/swollen material.
Toilets: Remove the cistern lid and listen for a hissing sound. Alternatively, try putting some food colouring in the cistern and seeing whether it leaks into the toilet bowl.
Showers and bathtubs: Inspect the floor around the shower and the bathtub. If there is a crawl space under the tub, check there as well. Look for loose tiles, peeling paint, mould or swollen floorboards or vinyl.
Hot water tanks: Check the hot water valve or listen for a hissing sound. Remember that these tanks contain hot water – keep a safe distance and avoid getting burnt.
Outside
Outdoor taps: Easy to identify, a leaking outdoor tap is also easy to fix. The issue is when the leak is coming from somewhere else, like underground pipes.
Underground pipes: Search for irregular damp spots on the ground that are far from any outdoor water sources. Can you see a puddle even though it hasn’t been raining?
Swimming pools and spas: As with underground pipes, look for damp, sunken or eroded spots around the pool area. Check around the filter, heater and pipe valves.
Sewerage: Sewerage leaks are often the hardest to detect because the pipes run underground. Causes could include tree roots that pierce or move the pipes, or leaking joints. A plumber can identify the problem by inserting a camera into the drain.
Call a plumber
Finding the source of a leak brings you one step closer to fixing the problem. If you can identify the cause or the location, you’ve done well!
Knowing when to bring a professional into the mix means admitting when you might need help. If you have found the leak but don’t have any knowledge around how to fix it, we’d recommend calling in the experts.
Hiring a skilled plumber to detect and fix a water leak in your home is the best option for many reasons. Not only will it save you time, but also money spent on exorbitant water bills and any further deterioration to the area.
