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Leak Detection: How to Find Water Leaks in Your Home

Has it happened to you before?

You find yourself lying awake and listening to the drip, drip, drip sound of water and can’t even figure out where the water is coming from. Or rather, you wake up to find a flooding kitchen and a massive puddle of water, despite leaving everything in good condition the previous night. Looking for the source of the water, you find a leaking dishwasher or pipe that burst during the night—and believe us; there are a few more terrible things than this.

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Importance of Leak Detection

Unfortunately, none of these water leakage situations is that surprising. According to the Insurance Information Institute, water damage was the third most expensive insurance claim and the second most common claim.

Besides, the clean-up costs are estimated to be between $3 and $7.50 per square foot, with the average homeowner spending about $2952 to repair water damage. This means restoring or repairing water damage is a costly venture, especially if you use a water meter box.

Common Places for Water Leaks
Looking for pools of water in your home isn’t enough. Some leaks are easy to detect, while others may take a significant amount of time before they can be detected. Some common culprits worth checking out in your home include:
  • Water tank/ Boiler- You can check whether the valves that take water into and out of your boiler or water tank are leaking. If there aren’t any visible signs, look for slow leaks like water marks near the boiler.
  • Toilets- Since we use our toilets often, it is not uncommon for them to start leaking. However, if they are left unattended for long, they might cost you a lot of money in the end. Pro tip: If you are not sure whether your toilet is leaking or not, add some food color into the toilet tank and wait for some minutes or so. If the color seeps into the toilet bowl, it means your toilet is leaking.
  • Showerheads- Just like toilets, we use our showers daily. The frequent usage may cause them to wear and tear, making it necessary for you to regularly check on them. Low pressure could be another sign that your shower is leaking.
  • Appliances- We use our appliances on a regular, if not daily basis. The constant moving and shifting their original position can cause valves to loosen and eventually cause water leaks.
While it’s nearly impossible to avoid all leaks, there are some necessary steps you can take to avoid risks and significant losses caused by water damage.

How to Detect a Leak in Your Home

1. Check Your Water Meter

If you think that there’s a leak in your home, the water meter is more likely to provide you with a conclusive answer. More often, the water meter is placed at the back or side of your house, or where the main supply line enters your house. Here are some steps you can follow to monitor your water meter:

  • Turn off all water taps and faucets in your home. Don’t forget to turn off appliances like the dishwasher and the dry cleaner.
  • Locate your water meter and note down the numbers you see.
  • Come back in an hour and check whether the numbers have changed. If the numbers reflect a change from your earlier figure, it means there’s a leak somewhere.

2. Look for Patches of Greener Grass

We all love a well-maintained, green, and lush lawn. However, if an area of your lawn appears to be greener than the rest or grows faster, it could mean that there’s an underground leak. You might even see some puddles on the surface of the ground if the leak is profuse.

3. Investigate Fixtures and Appliances

If after checking the water meter you suspect there are some leaks in the house, check the cabinets beneath your kitchen, bathroom, and toilet to ensure that they’re dry. Also, check for puddles of water around the base of your tub, shower, and toilet and under the dishwasher, dry cleaner, and water heater.

If you find some water pools, switch off the fixtures and appliances and engage a professional plumber immediately.

4. Keep a Keen Eye Out on Leaking Clues

If one of your fitting supplies breaks and water spurts out, you immediately know where the problem lies. However, some water leaks are a bit sneakier, and they may go unnoticed until they cause extensive water damage. Even if your water meter doesn’t indicate any signs of water leakage, a problem could develop any time, making it important for you to stay alert on some leaking clues.
  • Wall discolorations- Noticing some yellowish or brownish stains on your walls or ceiling? That’s an indication that there is water leaking from the drywall and soaking to the front.
  • A musty smell- The garbage should be the only smelly thing coming from your home; anything besides that is a nuisance. Over time, water leaks provide the perfect conditions for mold growth. Sometimes, you may even some dark splotches on the outside of the wall.
  • Bulging wallpapers or bubbling paint- Both are clear-cut signs that the wall is wet, and the wallpaper or paint is adhering loosely. Sometimes, the wallboard may bulge completely if the damage is extensive.
It is worth noting that all the above are clear symptoms of a leak, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that all the leaks are plumbing related. The water could be leaking from an outside source such as roof damage or the windows. Either way, ensure that you have the problem addressed as soon as possible to avoid extensive water damage.

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