Water leaks can lead to a major increase in your water bill and serious damage to your home. Detecting these problems early can save you money and prevent costly repairs. These are some measures for leak detection in Geelong as follows.
A few simple steps can help you find the source of a leak and nip it in the bud. Start by checking the obvious places like behind water use appliances, puddles, and musty smells.
Check Your Water Meter
Using your water meter can help you locate hidden leaks in your home. First, make sure all your faucets and appliances with water lines are turned off and nobody is using any water. Then find your water meter and note the position of the sweep hand (looks like a second hand on a stopwatch).
If the sweep hand is moving, that indicates there has been constant water flow during 15-minute intervals over the last 24 hours. This is a sign of a leak somewhere within your house or on the service line that connects to your public water main.
Shut off the water in your home by finding your main shut-off valve (typically located in a basement or garage directly behind an outdoor faucet, or outside below an outdoor faucet). Wait 1 or 2 hours and check your meter again. If the leak indicator is still moving, then the leak is between your water meter and your house.
Check Your Water Pressure
When a leaky pipe makes the water pressure in your home lower, it can cause the shower head to become less effective or, worse, create puddles of water on the floor. If you notice a sudden decrease in your water pressure, it’s important to call a plumber as soon as possible.
Another way to check for leaks is by watching your water meter. Make sure all appliances are turned off and then read the dials on the meter. If the numbers change after an hour when no one has used any water, then there is a leak in your system.
If the meter’s flow indicator (a small wheel that rotates when water is flowing) changes even though no one has used any appliances, then the leak is in your buried pipes outside of your house. It’s worth mentioning this because water leaks from these types of pipes can be extremely hard to find and can lead to severe property damage.
Check Your Water Heater
Water heaters are usually tucked away in utility closets for basements, making them difficult to spot leaks. However, a small leak in the tank can cause huge water damage in your home before you notice it. To prevent this, you can put a leak
detector, like Zircon’s Leak Alert, on your water heater. These sensors detect a leak and emit an alarm to notify you.
Check for visible puddles near your water heater and pay special attention to the area around the temperature and pressure relief valve (T&P Valve). If you see a puddle there, it’s likely that this valve has failed.
You can also test your water meter to check for water leaks. If you notice a sudden increase in your water bill, there is likely a leak somewhere in your home. Using these simple steps to detect leaks can help you save money and protect your property from damage. If you find any signs of a leak, call a professional plumber to inspect your pipes and fix the problem before it gets worse.
Check Your Faucets
A steady drip from a faucet or leaky pipe can waste gallons of water, increase your water bill and potentially damage your home. Detecting these leaks can help you save money, reduce the potential for water damage and avoid costly repairs.
The easiest way to identify a leak is by using your water meter. Take a reading before retiring at night, then check again in the morning to see if the red dial is moving. If it is, your home has a leak. Turn off all of the toilets and other running water equipment in your home, then read your meter again. If the dial continues to move, the leak is likely coming from somewhere outside of your house.
Another easy way to find a hidden leak is by checking for dampness, puddles and wet spots in your home. Look in cabinets for puddles and moisture, especially around your sink basins. Also, examine the underside of your plastic laminate countertops to see if you can see any swollen particle board.
