Did you know that 3,170 million litres of water are lost through leaks every day in the UK? That’s enough water to fill Olympic-sized swimming pools almost twice!
If you’ve ever experienced the hassle of a water leak, you’d know all about the headaches that come with it – from the water damage to your home or business to the high water bills.
So, how do you detect water leaks?
Luckily, there are various ways to find water leaks before they cause too much damage.
We’ll go over the most common areas to find water leaks, the five best ways to detect water leaks and answer your frequently asked questions.
The 5 Most Common Areas To Find Water Leaks
Kitchen and bathroom taps
While a steady drip, drip, drip may appear to be a minor annoyance, when taken as a whole, those drips may translate into an increase in your water bill. Excess water can also cause sinks and bathtubs to rust, mould, and decay prematurely.
Showerheads
Shower hoses in high-traffic areas of the home are used frequently and, therefore, subject to wear and tear. If your shower hose is corroding or leaking, ask your plumber to install a new one.
Toilet valves
Remove the tank lid and listen for hissing sounds to detect a leak. If you hear hissing, add a few drops of food colouring to the water in the tank (not the toilet bowl). Any colour in the toilet bowl after 20 to 30 minutes indicates that a flapper valve leak is probable.
Hot water tanks
If you see your water tank is leaking, don’t delay getting it checked out. Even small leaks quickly become a bigger problem if it’s not repaired correctly. To help prevent leaks, maintaining your hot water tank with regular check-ups and cleanings is crucial. In addition, asking your plumber for other ways to keep your hot water tank in good condition can help prolong its lifespan.
Supply lines
While water leaks in the home are indeed a problem, they don’t always occur there. For example, if you spot too much water in your meter box or puddles pooling in your yard, your supply line is likely responsible for the leak. Usually, city authorities would be held accountable for such an issue; however, if the leak falls between your meter and home, it becomes your responsibility to call a plumber.
How To Detect Water Leaks
Check your water meter
The best way to find a water leak is to check your water meter. Start by taking the time to shut off all taps and appliances that use water entirely. Then, check the water meter periodically throughout the day, and if the meter is spinning faster than usual, then you most likely have a leak. To detect whether you have a fast or slow leak, check how quickly the meter moves. The quicker the leak, the faster the needle will spin. This method is beneficial for detecting leaks behind walls, as you can’t always see them yourself.
Monitor your water bill
Your water bill will vary depending on your location. For example, those living in the South West of England can expect to pay £75 over the average, while those in the North West generally pay £80 less than average.
Nonetheless, the combined water and sewage costs UK residents £408 annually, or £34 a month. £194 for the water bill and £204 for sewage.
If your water bills from previous months remain consistent, but this bill is abnormally high, and your consumption habits haven’t changed, it’s probably a leak. Your water bills should stay within the same price range monthly. Remember, while you may not find leaks in your walls or floors, lots of piping runs underground. Have a professional plumber assess your piping to ensure you get a thorough search for leaks.
Check your exterior usage
Leaks aren’t just something that occurs inside the home; they can happen outside too. To check your outside spigots, attach a garden hose; if water seeps through the connection while the hose is running, you’ll need to replace the rubber hose gasket and double-check that all connections are tight. Also, consider calling a professional once a year to inspect your irrigation system (if you have one). Even a tiny leak in your system could result in wasting 6,300 gallons of water per month.
Check your water pressure
One tried-and-true way of finding a water leak is by checking your boiler. Boilers don’t need much adjustment, so if you’re not seeing any changes in your energy bills, you likely have a water leak. However, most homeowners only need to change their boiler once every ten years. So, if you haven’t had to make any changes recently, it’s time to call in a professional to take a look for leaks. Look for damp patches, small holes or water stains on radiators and carpeting, and rust or corrosion.
Musty and damp odours
The smell of damp is quite distinctive. If there is a musty odour in the building but no apparent signs of damp (for example, wet patches on the walls or mould), there might be a leak somewhere that you can’t see. If this is the case, mould might be growing in a hidden area, such as within a cavity wall.
Contact Vinci Response
If you have detected any signs of water leaks in your home, be sure to call Vinci Response.
We are a UK-based company that specializes in water damage repairs. We equip our team with the experience and expertise to get the job done right, and we’ll work quickly to minimize the damage caused by the leak.
Answering Your Water Leak FAQs
What causes water leaks?
Pipes generally leak from drastic swings in temperature due to the expansion and contraction of water sitting inside. For instance, if it’s winter and the pipes are cold and hot water runs through them quickly, it can cause cracking. Frozen pipes can also crack due to pressure buildup.
As pipes age, they can become corroded and rusted. This compromises the pipe structure and causes leaks to develop. If you detect any corrosion on your pipes, have a professional plumber assess the issue as soon as possible.
What are common indicators of water leaks?
- Pooling of water on grounds
- Cracking concrete or foundation
- Damp spots on floors and walls
- Foul odours in the home, especially around drains
- Dripping sinks or running toilets
- Dropping of water pressure
- A steady and unexplained rise in water consumption and billing
- Sounds of running water
- Rusty or dirty water supply
- Running water meter when appliances and water lines are shut
