subject: How To Find And Fix A Leak [print this page] Effective leak detection can be a fine artEffective leak detection can be a fine art. You can look high and low and never find where that dripping noise or excess damp is coming from. You cant just ignore it every second that leak continues your water bills will go up and the damage to your home will increase.
What weve listed below are some basics tips to help you potentially find the leak and fix it:
Finding It
Before checking any devices or systems, it is ideal that you do a meter check. Before heading to bed, turn off every tap in the house and take a reading from your meter. In the morning, take another look at the meter, any change should indicate whether there really is a leak and how big it is.
Hot Water System:
Check the Pressure Relief Valve on the hot water tank. Sometimes these valves are plumbed directly into a drain and may be leaking without your knowledge. If you can't see the drain pipe to check for a leak listen for a hissing or dripping sound that indicates a leak.
Toilet:
Your next port of call is probably the next most common source of water leakage in the home the toilet. As with the hot water system, if you hear any hissing at all, try to locate where it is coming from. If you locate the area where the leak is coming from, assess it and determine if you can fix it. Another way to track the source of leakage is with food colouring added to the tank, if the dye flows down to the bowl, you definitely have a leak.
Meter Line:
Thats two common spots down and still no leak, so where else can you look? The next place to check is the line running between your home and the meter. If this is the source, only a plumber can handle this but finding it yourself can save them time.
Other Possibilities: Sometimes the leak is in an unexpected place, causing your water bills to steadily increase as water continues to seep out. This is where and when it is best to turn to a professional.
Fixing It
DIY:
There are fixes that can be tackled alone and those that cannot. Leaks around taps, toilets and the like can be easily remedied when they are caused by loose fittings. Though this is really only the case if you have extensive experience in fixing these type of issues.
Professional:
When it comes to leaks cause by hot water systems, meter lines or damaged pipes, there is no other option than to call in a professional. The thing to remember is that there are some problems that are simply too complicated to handle on your own.
Plumlink are the local masters of leak detection. Weve transformed this once precarious task into an exact science. You can rely on us to help you find those hidden leaks so that they can be fixed for good. Call us on 1300 000 237 today to find out more.
