Plumbing leaks can cause serious problems for your home, but they aren’t always easy to detect. While you’ll probably know when you have a burst pipe that threatens to flood your basement, it’s possible to have a smaller leak for days or even weeks before you know it’s there.
Even a small leak will run up your water bill, cause water damage to your floors and walls, and create the perfect conditions to grow black mold. If you don’t want to deal with these problems while you celebrate the holidays, it’s best to find these leaks before things get out of hand. The best way to find a leak is to call a plumber to look over your home, but there are other things that you can do to check on your own.
Look for Signs of Leaks
The easiest leak detection method is to check your appliances and exposed pipes for signs of a leak. Look for puddles of standing water near appliances and plumbing, check your walls and floors to see if any of them are damp, and listen for sounds of running or dripping water. This isn’t a perfect leak detection method if you have any leaks hidden behind your walls, but it’s the least you can do and is a logical first step.
Check Your Water Meter
Another way to know if you have a hidden leak is to check your water meter. Turn off all the faucets in your home and look at your water meter. If it’s still running when your water isn’t, you have a leak somewhere in your home. It won’t help you find the exact location of the leak, but you can call a plumber for that.
Check Your Water Bill
If your water bills have been higher than usual, a small water leak may be to blame. Even if the leak is too small to do any noticeable damage, your water bill will likely still go up.
Call a Plumber for a more Thorough Test
If you’ve noticed these signs or otherwise suspect that you have a leak in your home, call a plumber to perform a more thorough test. Not only can a plumber tell you whether or not you have a leak, but they will also be able to fix the problem before the situation gets any worse.
For more information about leak detection and repair services in Waldorf, MD, call A Better Plumber today.
