If your utility bills are suddenly higher than usual, or if you’ve received a courtesy notice about unusually high water use, it’s a good idea to begin looking for water leaks around your home. Finding a water leak can be a tricky process, but if you suspect you have one it’s important not to give up on finding it, since the cost of fixing them will only go up with time. Here are some tips to help find water leaks on your own.
Check the Toilet
A good place to begin your hunt is the toilet. Take off the top of the tank and listen to the water running. If there’s an unusual hissing noise coming from the toilet, if the water is bubbling, or if the water seems to be leaking onto the floor, there’s likely more water running than necessary. Try to locate the site of the problem to see if it’s an issue that can be resolved on your own. Otherwise, don’t hesitate to call a plumber for help.
Check Your Water Meter
If you don’t have any luck with the toilet, check your home’s water meter. If you know where the meter is located, shut off a valve and see if the meter is still turning. If it is, then the water is probably leaking from the meter–be on the lookout for nearby puddles of water or muddy areas. However, if the meter stops moving when you shut off the valve, then your leak is likely coming from somewhere within your house.
Other Common Sources of Leaks
When searching around the house for a leak, check the pipes under the kitchen sink, the shower head, and the bathroom sink. If you can’t seem to find a leak there, don’t rule out the front or back yard. Taps, drip irrigation systems, and water hoses can spring a leak, as well. If you have a swimming pool, check all of the equipment for leaks, too.
If you can’t successfully find a leak in your home, it doesn’t necessarily mean that one doesn’t exist. If you continue hearing sounds of running water around the house, and your water bills continue to rise, contact a professional plumber to help assess the problem for you. A water leak should be treated as an emergency, since it will only get worse the longer it’s left untreated.
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