4 Tips for Finding and Fixing a Leaking Water Pipe in Your Home

Drip, drip, drip. That’s the sound of nightmares for just about any homeowner. Is it a busted A/C, a hole in the roof, or a leaking water pipe?

Water damage often costs around $3,000 on average to repair. The second you become aware of leaking water, it’s essential to stop the leak and fix what you can. A hole in the roof or a leaky A/C is easy, but what about a leaking water pipe?

A broken water pipe can be the most one of the most frustrating leaks to deal with, so we’re here to help. Keep reading for four concise tips on how to find and fix a leaking water pipe.

1. Identify a Leaking Water Pipe By an Expensive Water Bill

Check your water bills. Notice an unusually high water usage one month that you can’t explain? This very well may be a leaking water pipe somewhere in the house.

However, this won’t be a huge addition to your regular bill. It could be explained by someone taking one too many long showers or leaving the faucet open. But otherwise, there’s a good chance a pipe somewhere is filling the wall with water.

Check the water meter to track how much water you used during the billing period. In this situation, it’s best to call for plumbing services, such as Strata plumbing. They’ll need to search for and replace a broken water pipe. 

2. Check for a Leaking Toilet

Check the behind the toilet. There are often cheap valves with even cheaper tubes connecting them. If there’s a leak here, all you need to do is replace the valve or the tubes.

The cistern is the tank on the toilet that holds the water for each flush. When flushing, the flapper inside the cistern opens to dump the cistern water into the bowl. After that, it should close and form a seal to fill the tank with water for another flush.

But sometimes, that flapper can get leaky. Without flushing, put a couple of drops of food dye into the cistern. Wait a few minutes to see if any of the dye gets through–signifying that there is a leak and the flapper needs replacement.

3. Check Your Water Heater

Get out your flashlight and check from top to bottom on your water heater. You can usually identify leaks in the elements, the pilot, or the seams on top and bottom.

With the exception of a bad element, this usually means it’s time to replace the water heater. Also, check the pipes connecting them to the house, as this is usually a prime candidate too.

4. Check Up on Appliances

Many appliances use water: your washer, fridge, and water softener, for example. These are good possibilities for a leak in the majority of situations. Get behind appliances to check their water pipes. 

For example, check your washer. It usually has a plastic inlet that is prone to cracking or cheap woven tubes.

Find out which is leaking and replace them. If there’s an issue with the wall valve, though, consider calling a plumber.

Fix Your Water Leaks Today

A leaking water pipe is no fun for anyone, but you can’t delay fixing it. The water damage could be extensive, given just a few days to spread. So, use the above tips to find a leaking spot and fix it ASAP–preferably with a plumber’s help.

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