Find Hidden Water Leaks in Your Home
Do you suspect a water leak?
Signs of a water leak between your home and your water meter are not always obvious. The pipe running from your meter to your home is typically buried several feet underground, making it difficult to detect small leaks. However, even a small leak can cause significant property damage if left unattended for too long.
If you suspect you may have a water leak, here are 7 things you should keep an eye out for:
- Unexplained Increase in Your Water Bill
- An unexpected spike in your monthly water bill or usage may indicate a hidden water leak, especially if your household water usage has remained the same.
- Check Your Water Meter
- One of the most reliable ways to determine if you have a water leak between your house and the water meter is to shut off the main water valve at the side of your home. Make sure to turn off any irrigation system that is connected before your shut-off valve. With the water off, check your meter. It should not indicate any water usage. If water continues to flow through the meter, this is a sign of a leak.
- Consistently Damp Soil
- If the soil on your property remains damp without explanation, particularly if it is near your water line, this could be a sign of an underground water leak.
- Moss-like Growth in Your Yard
- If you notice areas of moss or other plant growth in parts of your yard where moisture is not normally present, this could indicate that a leak is saturating the soil beneath the surface.
- Water in or Around Your Water Meter Box
- Water collecting in or near your water meter box, without an obvious source, is a strong indication of a leak.
- Dampness Inside Your Home
- Leaks inside your home can sometimes be more apparent. You may notice water stains or dampness in your walls or ceilings, or you may find moisture in your crawlspace.
- Check your crawl space if you have one for signs of a leak.
- Check your Toilets
- Toilets are a common cause of water leaks inside homes. Sometimes, the leak is not obvious.
- Listen for running water. Water should only run into your toilet’s tank to fill it for future flushing. That should not take more than a minute or two. There is a rubber flapper, located at the bottom, inside the tank. Its function is to close off the water flow to the bowl. The act of flushing will open this flapper to allow the flush. Flappers degrade over time. If yours is old or degraded, it may not seal properly, allowing water to flow into the bowl when closed. Replacing the flapper is an easy DIY fix as replacement flappers are available at all home repair stores.
- Another way to check the flapper is to add Food Coloring to the tank. Add a few drops, wait a few minutes and watch for color changes in the bowl. If the water in the toilet bowl changes color, the flapper should be replaced.
- Check your Water Heater and Large Appliances
- Inspect your water heater for leaks. Check the intake, outflow, and any pressure regulators, expansion tanks, etc. that are connected near the water heater.
- Also check water connections, especially if behind cabinets or out of sight, for refrigerators, dishwashing, and clothes washing machines. If you have also appliances that use water such as a home water purifier or softener, check those as well.
If the signs of a leak are not immediately obvious, or you prefer not to inspect crawlspaces or dig in your yard, it is best to call a professional. At Freedom Underground, we use advanced acoustic and tracer gas detection equipment to locate leaks with minimal disruption to your landscape or home. Once we identify the location of your leak, we will provide a repair estimate and typically can return within a couple of working days to repair, restoring your service without the wasted water.
Contact Us for Water Leak Detection and Repair Services. Call us today at (408) 693-6018 or use our contact form to schedule a Water Leak Detection, Locating Service and/or request a free repair estimate.
