How Can You Find a Water Leak in Your Home?

Water leaks not only cause damage but also cost a lot of money. A sure sign that you may have a problem is an excessively large water bill. Water leak detection isn’t just a job for plumbers; anyone with basic DIY skills can also find the problem, if they follow a few simple tips. If the leak isn’t obvious there may be an element of detective work to track the problem down. Don’t worry if you can’t locate the exact spot where the leak is, a plumber will be able to find it with a listening device. But here are 3 spots that you need to check.

1. Check the Hot Water Tank

The hot water tank in your home will have a pressure release valve on it. These valves can be plumbed into the mains, it could be leaking and you would probably have no idea it was happening. Listen for a hissing sound coming from the valve and if you can remove the drain pipe to check for drips.

2. Check Your Toilets

The toilets in your home are a good place to check for leaks, lift the top off the water tank and have a listen. If you hear a hissing sound there may be a leak, try to narrow down where it’s coming from. The leak may be hard to locate by sound, if this is the case drop a couple of drops of food coloring in the tank and wait a few minutes. If there is a leak at the bottom of the tank it will become obvious as the water seeps through. Repeat this process with every toilet in your house, if you find the leak it may be a simple fix and if you can’t you will need a plumber.

3. Examine the Meter Line

If the toilets have been checked and there is no problem then it’s time to switch focus to the meter line. This line carries water from the meter into your house and it’s a good place to try out some water leak detection methods.

Locate your shut off valve, shut it off and check your water meter. Lift the lid that covers the meter and check the meter display. You now know that there is no water going into your home, so if the meter is still moving there is a leak somewhere between the meter and your house. If you then walk along a line that leads from the meter to the shut off valve you may notice muddy patches of grass in your yard which indicates there is a leak underground.

The only other reason that the water meter may be moving is if there is a leak in your shut off valve. Older shut off valves that are made bronze are quite prone to these kinds of leaks. In either case, you can call the plumber to replace the shut off valve or pinpoint and fix the main line leak.

In conclusion there are some things to consider when trying some of these water leak detection methods. First, don’t dig up any areas unless you’re 100% sure that you have the right location or you could cause more damage to the water line. Fixing a leak yourself in an old house could cause more leaks. This is because the change in pressure between modern fittings and older ones can break older washers and seals. If you need water leak detection or any help with your plumbing needs, contact Scott English Plumbing.

Ways to Detect a Water Leak in Your Home

If you have a water leak in your home, it can really cost you. Most homeowners have access to water through the city, and their home is on a meter. That means that you pay for every drop of water that you use, even if that water is lost due to a leak and goes to waste. Even if you use a private well to access water, wasted water still costs you. You are paying for the electricity to run the well pump, and you are using a limited resource; you certainly don’t want to run your well dry without even benefiting from the water that is used.

Water leaks cost homeowners in the form of damage to the home, as well. A leak can damage your walls, floors, and finishings, and can even cause the growth of mold. Repairing the damage caused by a leak can really add up in terms of dollars.

You can avoid these costs by detecting a water leak in your home before the problem escalates. Use these tips to help you find water leaks quickly.

Water Heater Tanks

In order to detect a water leak in your water heater tank, you should check the pressure relief valve. In many cases, the pressure relief valve is directly connected to a drain, so it could be leaking without leaving any evidence. Listen for a hissing sound coming from the water heater tank; that is often a sign of a water leak.

Toilets

Remove the lid from the toilet tank, and listen for a hissing noise. Just like with a water heater tank, a hissing sound is often an indication of a water leak.

You can also detect a leak in your toilet by adding a few drops of food coloring to the water in the toilet tank. Wait a few minutes, and then check to see whether the water in the toilet bowl has changed color. If it has, that means that there is a leak in the flapper in the tank that is allowing water to leak from the tank into the bowl. The flapper can easily be replaced.

Meter Line

First, turn off the water shutoff valve that controls the water to the entire house. When you are sure that all of the water is turned off, go to the water meter. It is usually located on the outside of the house. Check the dial on the water meter. If it is still turning while the water is shut off, then there is a leak somewhere between the meter and the house.

Hose Bibs

A hose bib is the faucet that is located on the exterior of the house; you often use it to attach a garden hose. You can listen for running water through the hose bib by using a metal screwdriver to conduct sound, much like a stethoscope. Place the metal tip of the screwdriver against the hose bib, holding the screwdriver with your knuckle between the screwdriver and your ear. Listen carefully for the sound of running water.

You can check indoor faucets using the same process.

These are just a few of the places where you can check your home for water leaks. Even if you can’t find the exact location of a leak, finding an approximation of the source of the leak is helpful both to you and your plumber.

If you suspect a leak, call Scott English Plumbing. We will locate the source of your leak and get it repaired quickly with our water leak detection service. Contact Scott English Plumbing for help today.

How to Save Water by Fixing a Leak

We all know how important it is to conserve limited resources like water. You don’t have to sacrifice in order to save water, though. One major source of wasted water is water leaks. When you have a leak, you are paying for water that you aren’t even using. In fact, more than a trillion gallons of water are wasted on leaks in American homes every year. On average, just one home can save 10,000 gallons of water a year by fixing leaks. That’s a lot of water and a lot of money. You can help the environment and your wallet by taking some simple steps to detect and repair leaks in your home.

How to Find a Toilet Leak

Oftentimes, you have a plumbing leak that you can’t see or hear, which allows it to go unnoticed. A toilet can leak 200 gallons of water every day. You can discover toilet leaks by performing a simple test. Follow these steps:

• 1. First, get some food coloring.
• 2. Remove the lid from the toilet tank.
• 3. Drop a few drops of the food coloring into the tank of the toilet.
• 4. Wait about 15 minutes.
• 5. Check the water in the toilet bowl. If the food coloring that you put into the toilet tank is now visible in the toilet bowl, then you have a leak.

Often, this type of leak can be fixed by replacing the flapper. The flapper normally wears out over time, but it is inexpensive and easy to fix. Here’s how:

• 1. Turn the shutoff valve to stop the water supply to the toilet.
• 2. Flush the toilet so that the water drains out of the tank.
• 3. Remove the flapper from the hooks on the overflow tube.
• 4. Unhook the flapper chain from the arm.
• 5. Remove and discard the old flapper.
• 6. Place the new flapper, and attach it to the hooks on the overflow tube.
• 7. Attach the new flapper chain to the arm, adjusting the length of the chain as necessary.
• 8. Turn the water supply back on. Flush the toilet, and check for leaks.

There is one more test that you can use to detect another type of toilet leak. Use these steps:

• 1. Remove the lid from the toilet tank.
• 2. Drop a small amount of flour or talcum powder onto the surface of the water in the tank.
• 3. Carefully watch the powder to see whether it floats toward the overflow tube. If it does float toward the overflow tube, then you have an overflow leak. This can be fixed by replacing the float valve.

Here’s how you can replace the float valve.

• 1. First, turn off the water supply and flush the toilet to empty the tank.
• 2. Disconnect the tube that goes from the wall to the toilet tank.
• 3. Remove the float valve. You will need to use a wrench to loosen the nut that holds it in place.
• 4. Place the rubber washers that came with the new float valve into the hole at the base of the tank.
• 5. Insert the new float valve, and tighten the nut on the underneath of the toilet tank.
• 6. Reconnect the tube that runs from the wall to the tank. Make sure that all of the connections are tight.
• 7. Turn the water supply back on, and flush the toilet. Watch for leaks.

These simple repairs can eliminate leaks and save you thousands of gallons of water. For help in finding and fixing leaks in your home, call Scott English Plumbing.

Plumbing Leaks: Finding Common and Unusual Sources of Leaks

Plumbing leaks can waste water and cause further damage to your home if they aren’t found and repaired quickly. But if you don’t see or hear running water, how can you detect a plumbing leak? Well, there are several places that are common sources of plumbing leaks; and there are some more unusual sources of leaks, as well. Check out these plumbing leak culprits.

Toilets

One of the most common places where homeowners experience plumbing leaks is the toilet. The pieces inside the toilet tank wear out after a while, and you can get a leak. Fortunately, these types of leaks are usually both inexpensive and easy to repair. You can easily check your toilet for leaks by just using a few drops of food coloring. Drop about ten drops of food coloring into the toilet tank, and wait about 15 minutes. After 15 minutes have elapsed, look in the toilet bowl. If you can see the food coloring in the toilet bowl, it means that you have a leak. This type of leak can usually be repaired easily just by replacing the flapper in the toilet tank. If your toilet is running nonstop, it can waste more than 200 gallons of water every single day. You can replace the flapper yourself for less than $20.

Faucet

A leaky faucet is easier to spot. If you notice that your faucet is dripping, be sure to fix it right away. Leaving it unrepaired can use many gallons of water every day, and can even total up to more than 3,000 gallons of wasted water per year. Fixing it is usually as simple as replacing the washer and seat assembly. This is an inexpensive repair that can save you a bundle on your water bill.

Showerheads

A leaking showerhead can waste over 500 gallons of water every year. That is enough water to run your dishwasher 60 times. The repair is extremely easy. In many cases, you can eliminate leaks from your showerhead just by tightening the connection with a wrench, no parts required. If you haven’t done so already, take this opportunity to install a low-flow showerhead to save even more water.

Unusual Leaks

Spotting a water leak can make homeowners fear the worst, but sometimes a leak proves to be a minor and inexpensive fix. Wet spots on the floor can be signs of a slab leak, which is something that nobody wants to encounter. However, a wet floor doesn’t always mean a slab leak. If the wet floor is in the kitchen, check the water line on your refrigerator’s icemaker. This tube can crack, leaking water all over your kitchen floor. The replacement tubing only costs about $5, and it is a minor repair.

You can check the water line on your icemaker by pulling the refrigerator out from the wall. While it is out, vacuum behind it and remove any clumps of dust and dirt from the refrigerator coils. This will make it easier to inspect and also help your refrigerator to run more efficiently. Take a look at the tubing, and see whether it looks cracked or worn. If it appears to be in less than great condition, you may want to go ahead and replace it. You can take this opportunity to upgrade to flexible stainless steel tubing.

If you need help finding hidden plumbing leaks in your home or repairing a leak that you have found, call Scott English Plumbing. We are the experts on repairing slab leaks, and we have advanced equipment that we use to find hidden leaks. Give us a call today.

Water Conservation Tips

Use These Tips to Help Trim Your Water Bill

How much water do you think you use each day? How much of that do you think goes to waste? We all know about taking small steps like turning off the water while you brush your teeth, but we may be wasting gallons of water every day without even realizing it.

Wasting water isn’t good for anyone. It’s bad for the planet, and it’s bad for your pocketbook. Nobody wants to pay for something like water, especially when that water is being wasted rather than used effectively. The trick is in realizing how much water you actually use. On average, each person uses 80 to 100 gallons of water every day. Of that total, more than 60% of the water used each day is used in the bathroom.

Fortunately, you can take some easy steps to help you conserve water and trim your water bill. Check out these water conservation tips.

1. The toilets in your home account for more than 40% of your total water usage. You can stop leaky toilets from wasting water by installing a new flapper and fill valve. You can reduce the water consumption of your toilet even further by installing a dual flush converter. This gadget gives you two flushing options; one uses less water for liquid waste, and the other uses a bit more water for solid waste. This allows you to use only the water that you need. A low flow toilet uses 20% less water per flush.

2. If you have a leaky, dripping faucet, you could be wasting thousands of gallons of water each month. A dripping faucet can use 150 gallons of water every single day, and as much as 4,500 gallons of water each month. Fixing the leak is simple. While you are fixing it, install an aerator. This water saving device reduces the flow rate of the faucet so that you are using only a half-gallon per minute. Typically, a faucet uses more than 2 ½ gallons of water per minute. Installing an aerator can significantly cut down on the amount of water that runs down the drain while you are washing your hands.

3. Switch out your old showerhead and replace it with a low-flow shower head. By making this simple change, you can save four gallons of water every minute, and you can still maintain full spray action. A 1.5 gallon per minute low-flow showerhead provides quality water pressure and excellent water savings.

4. Take good care of your plumbing system and provide routine maintenance. Check for leaks, running toilets, and signs of water damage. Identifying and resolving these issues can significantly reduce your water consumption.

5. Upgrade your washing machine. On average, 21% of the water used in a home is used by the washing machine. Switching to a front loading washing machine can save up to 40% of the water. Any type of Energy Star rated washing machine will provide significant reductions in water consumption, whether it is top loading or front loading.

You can reduce your water consumption and save money on your water bill by using these water conservation tips. If you could use some assistance in repairing leaks or installing new water-conserving fixtures, contact Scott English Plumbing. We are experts on all types of plumbing matters, including leak detection and repair as well as the installation of new, water-saving fixtures. To learn more about how you can save water and money, give Scott English Plumbing a call today.

Water Leak Detection – FAQs

Every homeowner can anticipate dealing with a plumbing leak at some point. Most leaks are small and can be easily repaired. However, sometimes there are leaks that go unnoticed because they are located in a place where the homeowner cannot see them. Fortunately, there are plumbers who specialize in water leak detection who can identify plumbing leaks and repair them for you. Here are some frequently asked questions regarding water leak detection.

Q. I think I might have a water leak in my plumbing system, but I’m not sure. How can I tell?
A. One way to determine whether you have a water leak somewhere in your plumbing system is to check your water meter. First, make sure that all faucets and any appliances that use water are turned off. Then, go take a look at your water meter. If the meter is moving while all faucets and appliances are turned off, then there is a leak somewhere in the system.

Q. My water meter isn’t showing excess usage, but I can see water damage in my house. What does that mean?
A. Some leaks are small enough that they can show signs of water damage without increasing your water consumption enough to activate the water meter. Another possibility is that the water damage is coming into your home from an outside source.

Q. Are my water pipes inside the concrete slab of my home?
A. When a house is built on a slab foundation, the pipes are usually located in the soil underneath the concrete pad, not actually within the concrete.

Q. How much water do most households use each month?
A. On average, a household of three people uses between eight and ten thousand gallons of water each month. This does not include water consumption for sprinkler or irrigation systems.

Q. If my toilet is running, will it affect my water bill?
A. Absolutely. If your toilet is running, it can use as much as 200 gallons of water per hour. You will definitely notice that on your water bill. If your toilet is running, have it repaired right away.

Q. How do plumbers find water leaks that aren’t easily visible?
A. Many plumbers use electronic leak detection. This allows them to find leaks that aren’t visible without tearing into your wall or foundation. Video detection can also be used to inspect your pipes and sewer lines.

Q. What happens if I don’t find the leak and have it repaired?
A. A leak that goes undetected will not go away; it will just get bigger. Eventually, the leak will cause significant water damage if left untreated. This can end up meaning extensive and costly repairs. In addition, you will continue to pay for water that you aren’t using due to water loss caused by the leak. Over time, this can represent a significant amount of money.

If you suspect that you have a water leak somewhere in your home, call Scott English Plumbing to perform water leak detection. We use electronic leak detection and video inspection to find plumbing leaks in your home and get them repaired promptly. Scott English Plumbing offers 24/7 emergency service, so call us now.