With the holiday season almost here, the last thing you want to deal with is water damage from a water leak in your home. While it will likely be obvious if you have a burst pipe that threatens to flood your basement, some leaks are smaller and harder to detect. These hidden leaks can still do a lot of damage to your home if they go unchecked for long, so keep these leak detection tips in mind during the holidays.
Check Your Water Meter
The water meter test is a great way to know if you have a leak somewhere in your home. All you have to do is turn off all the faucets in your home and take a look at your water meter. If the meter is still running, you have a leak.
Look for Signs of a Leak
Even a small leak will leave evidence if it isn’t fixed quickly. Look for things such as water stains in your walls and ceiling, wet spots on your floors, mold growth, and wood rot. You may also be able to hear running or dripping water if you listen hard enough or detect musty odors in your home. If the leak is coming from an exposed pipe, you might even be able to see water dripping or pooling onto the floor.
Check Your Water Bill
If your water bill has been higher than usual, a leak may be the culprit. Granted, there are other things that can cause your water bill to increase during the holidays, but if your water usage habits haven’t changed and you haven’t had that much company, it’s time to start looking for signs of a leak.
Check Your Toilet for Leaks
Your toilet accounts for up to 30% of your water usage, and it can spring a leak just as easily as any other pipe or plumbing fixture in your house. Water pooling around the base of your toilet is a sure sign that you have a leak, but if you want to know if the tank is leaking water, put a few drops of food coloring in it and wait about 10 minutes. If you can see the food coloring in the bowl, you have a leak in the tank that needs to be addressed.
Call United Water Restoration for Assistance
While these tips are certainly helpful, you should still call a plumber if you think you have a plumbing leak anywhere in your home. Call United Water Restoration in Charlotte, NC to schedule plumbing leak repairs.
