Even a slight water leak can cost homeowners hundreds of dollars so it’s important to know if you have a leak in your home. Determining if you have a leak can be as simple as checking a few key items in your home. This lets you know if you need to call a professional plumber in Phoenix. We have outlined six potential sources of a leak and how to check them.
Toilet Leak
Take the top off the toilet and listen for a hissing sound. If you hear any hissing at all, try to locate where it is coming from. Once you have located the source of the noise, assess it and determine if you can fix it. If there is no noise, add a few drops of food coloring to the tank (not the bowl). Come back in five minutes and if you have any coloring in the bowl, this indicates a leak.
Repeat the process with each toilet in your home to make sure you don’t have more than one problem.
Hot Water Tank Leak
Go to your hot water tank and check the pressure relief valve. Sometimes the valves are actually hooked directly into a drain and be leaking without a physical sign. If you can’t remove the drain pipe to check for a leak, listen for a hissing sound, as that is an indication of a leak.
Water Spigot Leaks
Locate all the water spigots outside your home. Water spigots are the pipes that you hook your hoses into and a typical residence has one in the front and one in the back. Once you have located them, take a screwdriver, and put the metal tip of the screwdriver directly on the metal part of the spigot. Put your thumb knuckle on the top of the screwdriver, and then place your knuckle on the side of your head, immediately in front of your ear. The sound will travel directly to your eardrum like a stethoscope. Listen carefully for any sound. If you hear anything at all, remember where it is and go to the next one. If the sound gets louder at any of the other spigots then the leak is closer to that particular unit. Note that and contact your plumber. Giving the plumber this information will save a lot of time in finding the leak, which in turn saves you money. If you didn’t find any noise, go into the house and follow the same process on your faucets in sinks, shower valves, washer, and hot water heater. Be careful when getting close to the hot water heater so you don’t get scalded. If you are still not sure, call a professional plumber in Phoenix.
Meter Line
Other Leaks
- Check outside and look at hoses, taps, and drip irrigation systems.
- Check the shower head for leaks. They are easily replaced by you if there is a problem.
- If you have a swimming pool, it is important to check to see if it has any leaks.
Near Enough is Helpful
Pinpointing a water leak can be tricky so even if you follow all these steps you may miss something. Still, they will help you give the plumber an approximate location to start saving them time and your money.
If you need a professional plumber in Phoenix, call the experts at Plumbing Masters at (602) 296-1127.
