How common are water leaks?
Not all that long ago, when your home or business had a sewer leak or water leak, leak detection wasn’t always easily found. Today’s plumbing technology has brought some excellent leak detection and repair methods that our grandparents never would think possible.
On a city or public level, they are staffed with equipment for leak detection on water mains, so they stay on top of them. The average home loses as much as 20,000 gallons each year because of leaks. While some of that is attributed to dripping faucets, showerheads, or running toilets, there are unknown leaks too. With leak detection equipment, this could be eliminated and would protect one of our valuable resources.
What do you do if you suspect a water leak?
Because you just noticed a water leak doesn’t mean it just started. A water leak can go undetected for days, months, even years. If you suspect that you have a water leak, your first step should be contacting a professional plumber immediately. Since you don’t know how long this leak has been happening, you don’t want to delay getting repaired.
A water leak ignored is asking for trouble in the way of expensive damage to your home. From foundation problems and more, a busted pipe or small leaking pipe can add up fast with the water bill and the cost of repairs. If the water leak is obvious, a busted pipe, you can turn the water off at the main located at the water meter. Take the time now to know where you water meter is so that you can get to it easily in case of water leak detection of a busted pipe.
How can you tell where a water leak is coming from?
Water is a basic ingredient in our homes. We take for granted that it will always be there, safely contained, and useable in the pipes, appliances, sinks, tub, etc. Water can also become an enemy too when it is going places it shouldn’t, causing damage and havoc.
Yes, we’re talking about plumbing leaks, which are unfortunately, pretty common in homes. Every home, even a new home, will experience a plumbing leak some time. Not all leaks are noticed or obvious either, which is why we need to do our leak detection using the following steps:
Water Bill Monitoring
Your monthly water bill is probably fairly predictable. So, when you get one that is higher than normal and you know you haven’t filled a swimming pool or did the football team’s laundry and you can’t find a leak, you need to call a plumber that has leak detection capabilities.
Water Meter Watching
When you suspect a water leak, you can watch your water meter to get an indication using these steps:
- Turn all water using appliances, faucets, and spigots off inside and around your home.
- Go outside and look at the water meter, write down the numbers on the dial. Wait one hour and check the meter again. If the numbers changed, you have a water leak. It could possibly be in places you can’t see, so your next stop would be to call a plumber for leak detection help.
Inspect Your Appliances and Fixtures
If the water meter testing indicated a leak, check inside the cabinets under all the sinks, check for any water puddles around the toilets, tubs, and showers, look around the dishwasher, washing machine, and water heater. It may only be a loose connection, or you may need to replace a connection.
Green Grass Patches
You want your lawn green and lush, but not in patches. When you notice you have some patches that really green and lush that grows faster than the rest of the law, you probably have water leak in a buried line. A plumber with leak detection equipment can find that leak faster than you can digging your lawn up.
Can plumbers detect leaks?
Yes, when you believe you have a leak, an experienced plumber will be able to find leaks that you’re not able to see with leak detection equipment. This equipment enables them to accurately find leaks quickly and get right to the problem area. This includes leaks underground and within your foundation or under your home.
The leak detection equipment that plumbers utilize today includes video inspection that includes a leak detection with infrared camera connected to a fiber optic tool that sends the picture to a small monitor. With this equipment, the plumber will be able to pinpoint the problem and get it repaired.
So, yes, there is leak detection equipment for the home, several different companies offer them, and they vary based on certain features with wide range of prices. What is the best water leak detection system?
There are several different leak, and detection company products that are focused on this equipment. They have spent years studying undetected leaks causes and issues, to find way that can help homeowners. Insurance companies love these companies of course, it saves them thousands of dollars in claims. Consumer Affairs has listed the following as being one of the best for specific reasons as noted:
- A water leak detector by LeakSMART Water Leak Detector Starter Kit
- A smart water leak detector by Flume Water Monitor
- A Wi-Fi water leak detector by Honeywell Lyric
- A wireless water leak detector by Zircon Electronic Water Detector
- A budget water leak detector by Glentronics Watchdog
- A plug-in water leak detector by Eve Water Guard
- A water leak detector w/automatic shut off by Grohe Sense Guard Smart
- A home kit water leak sensor by Fibaro HomeKit Flood Sensor
- An emergency water leak detector by Govee Water Sensor
- An underground water leak detector by 2M Ultrasonic
Any of these water leak detection tools are great for homes of all ages and sizes, and especially older homes where the age of the pipes may be unknown. For your water bill and for the sake of a protecting one of our natural resources, the expense of these is well worthwhile. Need plumbing leak detection in Dallas, TX? Call (214) 402-5454 today!
