Water leaks in your home may not be a plumbing emergency, but they can waste a significant amount of water and damage ample property, especially when they go undiscovered over time. Should your Marion County home have a minor leak and it appears new, there are several steps to find and repair water leaks before contacting a plumbing professional. Of course, with a significant leak, you’re better off calling a professional immediately after shutting off the main water valve.
Check the Meter
The first step to find and repair water leaks is to check your water meter.
- First, check that all water has been turned off indoors and out.
- Then, take the meter reading.
- Wait 15 minutes, and take another.
If there is a difference between the two, there is likely a leak.
Inspect Your Home
There are several common sources for residential water leaks. You often can find the source with the following steps.
- Inspect faucets and other fixtures, which can waste a great deal of water over time if they’re leaking. Repair methods will vary.
- Check your home’s toilet by listening for hissing or gurgling when not in use. Then, see if the tank water level is above one inch below the overflow tube, a sign that the float or refill valve needs replacement. You can also add food coloring to the tank; if color appears in the bowl after several minutes, the flapper needs repair or replacement.
- Listen for any hissing from your storage-tank water heater tank’s pressure relief valve, which indicates a leak directly into your home’s drain.
- For whole-house humidifiers, check for leaks resulting from refill valve failure. Prevent problems by regularly checking the humidifier when it’s in use (usually winter).
- Inspect taps, irrigation systems, hoses and swimming pools or water features,.
- Check the water line from the meter to your home for consistently muddy areas, and, if present, contact a plumbing professional.
Remember that locating water leaks can be quite difficult, and most leaks can only be properly repaired by a plumbing professional. For expert advice on plumbing and HVAC issues in the Greater Indianapolis area, please contact us at Mowery Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Brownsburg, Indiana and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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