Checking for Leaks: Hints from a Plumber

It’s hard to believe that a tiny dripping faucet can have a big impact but when left unchecked, you can waste tons of money on plumbing leaks in your home. In fact, every year in the United States over 1 trillion gallons of water is wasted due to plumbing leaks! Save yourself money and lessen your impact on the environment by learning how to check for leaks throughout your home. In today’s blog, we offer some tips and tricks for finding plumbing leaks in your house.

Hot water tanks

Hot water tanks are prone to leaks but luckily it’s quite simple to find out whether you have a problem. Start by checking your pressure relief valve, located on your hot water tank. These valves may be placed directly into a drain and could potentially be leaking. If you have trouble removing your drain pipe to check on the leak, use your ears instead: you’ll likely hear a hissing sound if there’s a problem.

Water service

Leaks in your water service are often undetectable unless you are proactively looking out for them so make it a habit to check up periodically. To do this, turn off the shut-off valve to your water service which is generally located by your house. After it is fully off, take a look at your water meter. If the meter is still turning despite the valve being shut then this indicates that you have a leak somewhere between your house and your meter. Take a walk around the area between the shut-off valve and the meter and keep an eye out for warning signs such as muddy and soft areas and grass that is especially green or growing better in one area than the rest of the yard. If you notice these signs then it is important to call your Baltimore plumber immediately to have the problem fixed before you waste any more water.

Toilets

Begin checking your toilet for leaks by taking the top off of your tank and keeping an ear out for trouble. If you hear any sort of hissing sounds then that’s an indication you may have a leak. To find out for sure, add a few drops of food coloring to your tank. Wait a few minutes and then check your toilet bowl: if the water has changed color then you definitely have a leak and you should call in a plumber to fix it.

Abbott’s Plumbing, Your Baltimore Plumber

Give us a call at 410-796-0442. If you have any questions about our blog or need a Baltimore plumber, please contact Abbott’s Plumbing to request an estimate!