Your plumbing system is one of your household components that tends to be out of sight and out of mind. That is, until there’s an unexpected problem, usually indicated by an excessively high water bill.
If you believe you have a hidden plumbing leak in your home, our best tips below can help you swiftly detect it so you know when to call a local plumber.
Common Signs of a Plumbing Leak
Homeowners must be mindful of the most common signs of a plumbing leak so they can seek out professional assistance when necessary. In some cases, the presence of a leak may be obvious, like water pooling under your sink or a prominent water stain on your ceiling or wall.
However, in other cases, the signs may be bleaker. For example, you may get a whiff of a musty odor, or your paint may start peeling from the wall. You may notice your floors seem spongy or your water pressure may not seem as powerful as it once was. The caveat to these not-so-obvious signs is an increase in your water bill.
If your usage hasn’t increased, it’s a key indicator that you likely have a hidden plumbing leak somewhere in your home. Now comes the fun part of attempting to identify where it’s at. There are key areas of your home where plumbing leaks may be more prominent than others.
Under your kitchen and bathroom sinks is a very common location where leaks develop due to worn-out seals or loose fittings. Another typical location is near your water-using appliances. As your appliances, like your clothes washer, slightly move, it can allow the water supply line to loosen up over time.
Toilets are another key leak location at both their base and tank. Tank bolts can loosen over time, as the tank gets bumped around. The wax ring positioned between the tank and the floor can wear unevenly if your toilet isn’t bolted down correctly. Some other key locations include near your water heater, outside irrigation lines, and behind your shower valves.
Verifying Your Suspicions
If you believe your home has a hidden plumbing leak, one of the best places to start looking is at your water meter. Be sure to shut off all the plumbing fixtures and water-using appliances in your home. Take an initial reading from your meter and then another reading about 30 minutes later. If there’s an increase in the reading when you know you’re not running your water, you’ve verified you have a leak.
Water Pressure Method
If your water leak is causing low water pressure, you can typically use that to your advantage when tracking down the leak. If the low water pressure is only present at one fixture, then the issue lies with the water supply to that particular fixture.
Furthermore, if the water pressure only drops when you turn on the hot side of the fixture, you can narrow down the issue to the hot water supply line. When you have isolated water pressure issues, you can typically follow the supply piping in those locations to identify the source of the leak. Ideally, you’ll want to shut off the water supply to that location if possible to prevent further seepage until you’re able to repair the leak.
Leaking Toilet Test
If you’re not experiencing a low water pressure issue and don’t see any visible signs of water damage, you may have a leaky toilet tank. A faulty flapper or valve could allow water to constantly run into the toilet bowl.
A quick method for testing this problem requires a few drops of food dye. Add the drops to the toilet tank to tint the water. The water in your bowl should be clear until you flush the toilet. If you notice the toilet bowl’s water has changed colors, your toilet tank is leaking into the bowl. Opt for shutting off the water supply to your toilet until we can repair its faulty flapper or valve.
Acoustic Listening
One really simple method you can employ is listening for the leak. This is best applied when you have already narrowed down the general vicinity of the leak. For example, if you have a damp wall or one with peeling paint, you know the leak is somewhere in that location. Turning everything off and listening closely for a dripping or hissing noise can reveal a more precise location.
Don’t Forget About Outside Fixtures
It can be very frustrating if you have an excessively high water bill but don’t see any visible signs of a leak or notice water pressure issues. The culprit behind your plumbing leak may simply be an outside spigot or plumbing fixture. Take a few moments to thoroughly assess those fixtures for any signs of seepage.
Professional Leak Detection
If you’re struggling to locate the source of your hidden plumbing leak, seeking out professional assistance can be exceedingly helpful. Our plumbing professionals have multiple technologies to help locate the source of these hidden leaks.
Infrared cameras can detect temperature changes inside your walls or under your flooring that can indicate a leak. Moisture meters also effectively detect areas where moisture levels are exceedingly high. Even acoustic sensors can help pinpoint the exact location of your leak.
Repairing Hidden Plumbing Leaks
The repair process for your hidden plumbing leak will depend on numerous factors related to the specifics of your particular leak. For example, if the leak is coming from a loose fitting, simply tightening up the fitting may be all that’s needed.
In cases where there’s a slight hole in the plumbing line, we may be able to remove the section of the line and use a connector to rejoin the existing lines. However, if your existing plumbing line is corroded or severely damaged, it’s best to simply replace it with a new line. This is a costlier process but offers long-term security against future leaks.
Our professional plumbers can handle your water leaks efficiently and effectively. Your plumbing system isn’t something you want to DIY, as water leaks can extensively damage your home in just a short amount of time.
A Note on Smart Leak Detection Systems
One notable technology that can significantly reduce your risk of experiencing a plethora of water damage is a smart leak detection system. This system has multiple moisture sensors and automatic valves. Any time the system detects moisture where it shouldn’t be, it will shut off the valve that supplies water to that location.
For example, if a sensor positioned near your clothes washer detects water, it will automatically close the valve closest to your washer to minimize the seepage. These smart systems will even alert your smartphone to make you aware of the issue.
Reliable Plumbing Repair Service
Plumbing, Cooling & Electrical Nerds offers reliable leak detection and plumbing repair service for the North Naples, FL community. We can also help with all your plumbing installation, replacement, and inspection needs. Call us today to book a service appointment with one of our friendly plumbing professionals.
