Water leaks in your home can turn into a costly waste. Here is what to look for if you think you might be leaking water:
- Higher than usual water bill
- Water pressure has decreased
- You notice mildew
- Your wallpaper has become warped
- You notice stains on your ceiling
The best method of water leak detection is to look at your water meter. First, ensure that no water is being used. Then, check the leak indicator in the water meter. If it is moving, you might have a leaky pipe somewhere.
You can also read your meter 2 hours apart. Use no water while you are doing this check. If the second reading is higher than the first, it is an indication of a leak.
How To Handle A Leaky Faucet
Turn off the water by the faucet or at the main water source. Loosen the faucet with a wrench. The main cause of a leaky faucet is usually the washer or O-ring within the valve. A defective or worn washer can easily be replaced. Replace the washer, reassemble your faucet, and turn the water back on. Check if the faucet continues to leak.
How To Handle A Leaky Toilet
A leak in your toilet can turn into a costly problem. This can be easily fixed, however. If you suspect your toilet might be leaking, raise your toilet tank and add some food coloring or dye tabs to the water. Don’t flush for approximately half an hour. After 30 minutes, see if any of the color is visible inside the toilet bowl. If you notice color, your toilet is leaking.
Replacing your toilet flapper will usually fix the leak problem.
How To Handle Flapper Valve Leaks
The flapper valve located at the bottom of your tank can become old and damaged. When that happens, water will continuously leak into the toilet. Simply turn the water off and replace the faulty valve with a new one.
Flush Handle Problems
If you can stop your toilet from running only by jiggling the handle, tighten the handle nut by screwing counterclockwise. If needed, replace the handle with a new one.
Leaky Overflow Tube
If the overflow tube in your toilet is leaking, the water pressure may be too high and in need of an adjustment. If the problem continues, a professional plumber will be able to repair the problem.