Tips for Finding and Fixing a Plumbing Leak in Your Home

Residential plumbing is durable and long-lasting. However, that doesn’t mean your home can’t suffer leaks. The problem is, with so much of your plumbing concealed inside walls, there’s always a chance for a leak to go unnoticed. Hidden plumbing leaks can waste significant amounts of water and cause substantial damage to your home. To avoid that, it’s wise to learn the telltale signs of hidden leaks and how to detect them. Here are some tips to help you find hidden leaks in your home.

Signs of a Leak

Before you can locate the source of a leak, you need to recognize the signs indicating that you have one. Look out for the following.

Water Pressure Problems

If one of the water supply lines in your home springs a leak, it may decrease your water pressure. So, if your sinks don’t seem to have the same flow rate they once did, you may have a leak. The same goes for showers and other fixtures in your home. However, since small leaks may not produce noticeable changes in flow rate, creating a benchmark is useful. To do it, you need a stopwatch and a large measuring cup. Place the measuring cup in a sink and turn the faucet to its maximum output. Use the stopwatch to time how long it takes the faucet to fill the cup. Now, you can use that time to measure the faucet’s flow rate in the future. That allows you to test for hidden leaks periodically.

Unexplained Water Bill Increases

Another sign of a hidden leak to watch for is an unexplained jump in your water bills. That can indicate water loss somewhere in your plumbing. However, try to compare each bill with the one from the same month in the previous year. That can help eliminate seasonal variability from things like watering your lawn in the spring and summer. And remember to compare the water usage, and not just the cost of the usage. Your water rates can change, but the way your water meter measures usage remains the same.

Water Meter Showing Use

If you don’t want to wait for your next water bill to find a leak, you don’t have to. Instead, you can go straight to your home’s water meter. It should have a display that tracks your home’s water usage. If you turn off every fixture and appliance that uses water in your home and the meter continues to run, you have a leak.

Wall or Ceiling Staining

If a pipe begins to leak inside a wall or ceiling, it may produce yellow stains on the surrounding drywall. If you notice any staining, check the area for signs of wetness. If you don’t feel any moisture, it typically means one of two things. One is that the leak is producing little more than a slow drip. In that case, the water evaporates away almost immediately, leaving only the stain behind. The other is that you’ve caught a bigger leak in its earliest stages. If you do feel wetness, the leak is likely significant and requires immediate attention.

Unusual Mold Growth

One of the common side effects of hidden leaks is mold growth. Mold thrives in dark, damp places. However, the average indoor humidity in San Antonio, TX homes doesn’t lend itself to mold growth. So, if you spot mold anywhere new in your home, it may be thriving on the moisture from a leak. Certain molds release toxic substances, so if you spot any, you may want to enlist the help of a mold abatement specialist to remove the mold.

Sounds of Running Water

Whenever water is running through your plumbing, it will produce some noise. If you hear the sound of water running and you aren’t using any, suspect a leak. The sound can even help you make an educated guess as to the location of the leak. You may be able to narrow down its source further using your home’s various water shutoff valves. If you see a shutoff valve near the source of the sound, try turning it off. If the sound stops, the leak is in the line leading from the valve. If it doesn’t, the leak must be coming from elsewhere.

What To Do if You Suspect a Hidden Leak

If you notice any of the symptoms above, the first thing you should do is call Rosenberg Plumbing & Air. We offer expert professional leak detection services, as well as plumbing repair. However, after you contact us, you can also try to slow or stop the leak temporarily yourself. To do it, you can turn off the shutoff valve closest to the location where you suspect the leak. Failing that, you can always turn off your home’s main water shutoff valve. You should find it located near where your water supply line enters your home.

Once you locate and shut off the appropriate shutoff valve, your next task is to contain the damage from the leak. For example, if you spot a leak due to a wet patch on a wall, start there. Use towels to absorb any pooled water, and then use fans to maintain airflow throughout the area. That will help accelerate the evaporation of the water. If you’re dealing with a small bit of moisture, you can even use a hairdryer to accelerate the process further.

How We’ll Locate Your Leak

When you call us for leak detection services, one of our plumbers will arrive with multiple tools for the job. That gives them plenty of options to pinpoint the source of your leak. One method they may use is thermal imaging. They’ll investigate the area you suspect with a thermal camera, looking for a leak’s telltale temperature signatures. Leaks from cold water supply lines will create a cold spot that’s distinct from its surrounding environment. Hot water lines do the opposite.

Another leak detection method our plumber may use is acoustic detection. They’ll use sound sensors to find the sounds of running water. The equipment is many times more sensitive than the human ear. As a result, it may discover leaks you’d never hear on your own. Acoustic detection can even help pinpoint the leak’s location based on the detected volumes.

Finally, our plumber may use remote video inspection to locate leaks in your home’s drain lines. Using a borescope, they’ll peer inside your drains to assess their condition. That can uncover cracks and holes that might go undetected using other methods. It can also let you know if your drain lines require cleaning.

Your Local Leak Detection Experts

When you need professional leak detection services in San Antonio, turn to Rosenberg Plumbing & Air. We’ve served local homeowners with pride since 2003. Our plumbers are highly trained and skilled at locating even the most minor plumbing leaks. When you work with us, expect quick response times and timely completion of your requested service. For proof, look no further than our long list of positive customer reviews. We’re also Better Business Bureau accredited with an A+ rating. So, for prompt leak detection services in San Antonio, call Rosenberg Plumbing & Air today.

Tags: leak detection, Plumbing tips