Did you know that the average family in the U.S. loses 11,000 gallons of water per year due to leaks around the home? Although some of these leaks are easy to recognize, others might be hidden away and hard to detect. If you want to find hidden plumbing leaks before they add up to a huge amount of wasted water in your home, check out the five tips below!
5 ways to detect hidden plumbing leaks in your home
- 1. Pay attention to your water bills. One of the best ways to discover hidden plumbing leaks is to pay close attention to your water bills. If you notice a significant spike in your bill and your home’s water consumption habits have remained relatively consistent, it could be a good sign that there is a leak somewhere in your home. Be sure to contact Cabrillo as soon as possible if you need help identifying and/or fixing a leak.
- 2. Make note of low water pressure. There are a number of reasons why you might have low water pressure in your home, but one of them is a leak in your pipes. If a leak develops in one of your pipes, water will escape before it gets to its destination and cause your water pressure to go down.
- 3. Check your water meter. If you suspect a water leak in your home, you can confirm it by checking your water meter. Turn off all of the water inside and outside your home (including faucets, showers, hoses, etc.) and go outside and check the reading on your water meter. After an hour two of not using any water in your home, check the meter again. If the reading changed, you likely have a leak in your home.
- 4. Look out for signs of water buildup. If you ever notice water buildup around any of your plumbing appliances (such as your water heater, toilets, washing machine, etc.), there’s a good chance that they are leaking. Along with the area around these appliances, check your floors, ceilings, walls and under-cabinets for signs of water damage or discoloration.
- 5. Listen for leaks. Many leaks often create a dripping or hissing sound, which are especially apparent when your home is quiet. If you ever hear these types of sounds, try and identify the source and contact Cabrillo if you need help locating it or fixing the problem.
If you have any questions about how to detect a hidden plumbing leak in your home, or if you’d like a plumbing system serviced or installed in your home, contact Cabrillo, your Bay Area plumbing, heating and air conditioning company.