How to Detect Plumbing Leaks in Your Home

  • Post category:Pipe Talk

As a homeowner, you’d probably admit that water leakage is one of the most aggravating issues. Leaks are not only a major nuisance, but can become detrimental to the integrity of your home’s walls and foundation, potentially causing significant deterioration over time. What may surprise homeowners in Buffalo is that residential plumbing leaks can often go undetected. To prevent water damage from occurring in your home, here are three easy ways to detect plumbing leaks:

Check your water meter

The first step to identifying any plumbing leaks is to check your water meter. Shut off all water appliances in your home (faucets, washing machine, etc.) and check to see if your meter changes. If the meter moves immediately, chances are you have a major leak in your home. If it moves after a few hours, this is a sign of a possible slower leak that should be investigated by a pluming professional.

Dye test your toilet

A dye test is the easiest way to confirm if your toilet is the source of a water leak. Even if you don’t spot any small puddles around your toilet, there may still be a minor leak that’s gone undetected. In most cases, a toilet’s flapper can become weakened over time, causing water to leak from the tank into the bowl. To do a dye test, simply put a few drops of food coloring in the tank of every toilet at your house. If any of your toilets are leaking, the color will appear in the bowl within a few minutes.

Be alert to common signs of leakage

Being aware of the many signs of a water leak is ultimately the best way to prevent and repair a leak before it becomes out of hand. Some major signs of a  residential plumbing leak include wall discoloration, bubbling paint or bulging wallpaper, dripping sounds in certain areas of your home, and musty or moldy smells. Even if any of these issues appear minimal at first, having them evaluated by a plumbing professional is essential for addressing them early.

While not every leak in your home may be a plumbing-related leak, understanding how to monitor and prevent any leakage from causing severe water damage can save you hundreds of thousands of dollars in the long run!

Are you concerned about water leaks in your home? Get in touch with our office in Buffalo, and learn how the experienced plumbing experts at The Plumber can help with leak detection and repair.