If there's a leak in your home don't put it off for a later date because the longer you wait the more damage can be done. Here are 5 ways to spot a leaky house like a pro.
Since it is one of your most important maintenance duties to protect your home, you should know how to track down the most common types of water leaks. But if you are looking into buying a new home or renting an apartment, it is a skill that will come in handy. A leaky house can be more than simply annoying, it can cast thousands of dollars in ruined possessions and tens of thousands to fix after something has completely fallen apart.
With that in mind, here are 5 ways to spot a leaky house like a pro.
1. Listen
Turn off all water outlets from all appliances and other fixtures around the house. Make sure there isn’t any water being used inside or outside the property including kitchen faucets and bathroom showers, dishwashers, clothes washers, toilets, automatic backflow cleaning in water filters, and lawn or garden irrigation. Visit each room or area so you can hear any potential leaking or dripping.
Turn off the water to your home appliances and other fixtures in your home. Then listen for potential leaking or dripping. This may help you find the leak.
2. Check Flow Indicator
Open the cover on the water meter. It looks like a plastic box that is located in the ground. There is a flow indicator inside the device, which is a small rotating wheel used to detect even the smallest amount of water flow around the house.
If it is an apartment, the water meter can be on one of the sides of your apartment. If the flow indicator is moving and the number is getting higher, even if all water sources are turned off, there is a water leak.
3. Using Radar
If you think the leak may be coming from the outside, using radar as a method of detection is highly recommended. Waves are emitted by the radar and transferred through many types of material before being sent back to the machine as a signal. The returning waves or signal is perceived through a special instrument.
Through radar, you will find the exact location of the leak and will be able to determine whether the leak is big or small.
4. Fill Water Pipe with Gas
Water leak can also be detected by using gas, particularly, industrial hydrogen. Pipes are going to be filled with the gas and then a special device is going to keep track of the movement of gas.
Since gas moves at a high pressure, the device can find if there is a leak right away because it senses that the gas is leaking at a place where it’s not supposed to be.
5. Utilize Geophone
A geophone is like a stethoscope. It functions by amplifying the sound of any water leak. This can work if you’re going to listen for underground water movement. However, if the leak is coming from a large hole, it may not emit enough loud noise to be detected by the geophone.
Aside from water leaks found in common places, don’t forget to inspect the house or apartment for these:
- Yard Leak: This can be most effectively done during dry weather. If there are signs of a soft or muddy spot or a patch of greener grass between the meter and house, there is possible water leak.
- Crawlspace Leak: These are hard to find because pipes in crawlspaces may be buried and the ground covered by plastic sheeting.
- Slab Leak: Water leak can be found in or under the concrete slab. If this is the case, you will need to disconnect the leaking pipe then run a new water line through the attic and down a wall.
The Importance of Stopping Leaks
A single leak can cause the loss of 10,000 gallons of water each year It's not only bad for your water bill, but it's terrible for the environment, using up precious drinking water. It can even degrade the integrity of your house. Take a look at the US EPA's list of the effects of leaks on the planet and consumers: https://www3.epa.gov/watersense/pubs/fixleak.html . There is a fix leak week in March, but don't wait. If you have a leaky house, take necessary steps to mitigate it or call a professional plumber to help.
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