Whether you own your own home, rent or share an apartment, every month, you send at least part of your paycheck back out the door to cover the costs of maintaining the place where you live. Usually it’s a big chunk, or at least a much bigger chunk than you’d prefer. Adding insult to injury is the knowledge that, somewhere in your home, a silent thief is taking some of that money and flushing it right down the drain. Hidden water leaks in you home’s water and gas systems can cost you $100′s each month in additional charges on your water bill. Fortunately, in the case of water leaks, there are some simple ways to isolate and find the leak before you call your plumber.
Isolating Water Leaks In Your Home Through Elimination
The process of finding hidden water leaks in your home is one of elimination. By shutting off the various parts of the system and monitoring the water meter at the curb, you can narrow your search. If you still can’t find the source of the waste usage, i.e. the leak, you may need to call in a leak detection specialist. More than most plumbers, a leak detection specialist has a suite of highly specialized ultrasonic and/or thermal imaging tools at their disposal with which to locate hidden leaks in walls and underground.
Once you find the hidden water leak, you can make up your mind whether you want to attempt to fix it yourself, or call in a specialist. Again, not all plumbers can handle every kind of plumbing leak. You may find that, to repair leaks and damage to your home’s irrigation system or swimming pool, you will have to find and hire a specialist.
Watch the helpful video from the Regional Water Providers Consortium, then click on the each of the images below it to learn how to isolate each of the most common sources of plumbing leaks.
In The End, You’re Still Gonna Need A Plumber
These are only a few of the most common sources. Hidden water leaks can be lurking anywhere in your home: under your sink, behind your fridge, in your laundry room. If you can’t find the leak on your own, but you’re sure you have one, call a plumber right away. Water finds its way into a lot of places you’d rather it didn’t and can do a lot worse than cause an infestation of toxic mold. It cause structural damage to the supporting members of your home, even your foundation. Don’t wait until the costs are more than just the waste on your monthly water bill.
Related Reading
- Fix Water Leaks, Save $20 (TheDailyGreen.com)
- Prevent Water Leaks (MoneyPit.com)
- Water Leaks Can Add Up (TodaysFacilityManager.com)