Water leaks are a very common occurrence in homes and properties – even in newer builds. What’s more, not all leaks are easily discoverable. In fact, some are so well hidden that by the time you’ve found the leak the damage has already been done to your property.
Here at Greenstar we believe that all property owners should be well-equipped to learn if they have a water leak and how to find it. Read on to learn how you can find the water leak in your property before it’s too late.
If you’re worried about a potential water leak in your property, contact Greenstar today where a member of our expert plumbing team will be on hand to help.
Whilst some leaks are fairly straightforward to work out (for example if a sink breaks and water starts shooting out), most leaks are very difficult to find. Water may even be trickling somewhere within a wall which doesn’t get discovered until there’s severe damage to your property.
We suggest you should look into the following which can help you determine if you have a water leak in your property and how to find it.
Discolouration on your ceilings or walls could indicate that water is leaking through. The discolouration is usually yellowish or brownish in colour.
Any wet paint (that’s not recently been applied) or detaching wallpaper are strong signs of a water leak behind that wall. What’s worse, any bulges in wallboards indicate that the water damage is more severe and more often than not will require replacing.
A fairly self-explanatory suggestion, but one that should be called out nonetheless – hearing a dripping sound can ultimately help you determine the leak’s location.
A long-term water leak creates the perfect humid environment to allow mould to grow. On your wall’s exteriors you may find the mould in the form of black blotches. However, mould often grows inside your walls that you won’t be able to see. Instead, you may experience a musty odour by your walls, which may indicate mould has developed inside your walls as a result of a water leak.
Your water bill could be an indicator that you have a water leak, especially if you receive a monthly bill that is unusually higher. Property water usage is typically predictable – for example, the Environment Protection Agency reckon a family of four will use about 12,000 gallons of water per month (and maybe more in the summer). Do note that even a steady dripping faucet can waste around 800 gallons of water monthly, so it’s good practice to monitor your water bill regularly.
To make absolutely certain that you do indeed have a water leak, we recommend you monitor your home’s water meter. The best way to do this is to:
We suggest you look into the following to work out where you water leak is coming from.
Whilst you may be yearning for a garden consisting of lush, green grass, be aware that a noticeably greener patch of grass could be the result of a buried water line leak. Puddles may even become visible on the ground surface.
Should the water meter indicate that your leak is coming from inside your property, then you’ll need to take the time to diligently explore all appliances and fixtures. These include looking under all the cabinets that are located underneath a sink to ensure they’re dry. Also, you should look for puddles across all your household appliances, like your dishwashers and washing machines etc.
If you find any puddles, we strongly advise you turn off your water supply and get in touch with Greenstar right away.
It’s also well worth checking that your toilets don’t require repair, as they’re prone to leakage. We recommend using food colouring, putting a few drops in the tank of every toilet in your property. Should you have a toilet leak, colour will appear in the bowl within five minutes. The leak is most likely down to an issue with the toilet’s flapper (i.e. the rubber stopper mechanism which prevents water from entering the bowl until you flush).
If you’re unsure of how to deal with this leak, feel free to get in touch with Greenstar where one of our plumbing specialists will be on hand to help.
As some pipes are more likely to leak than others, it may be worth investing in leak detectors. These are ideal for property locations where the older pipes are situated, as well as by water heaters which can develop holes due to water tank corrosion. By detecting a water leak early, you’ll be able to turn off the water supply before the water leak causes considerable damage to your property.
Finding the right resolution to your water leak requires the right tools, know-how and experience. Attempt to resolve the issue yourself or failing to identify the cause of the water leak can lead to making it worse, causing considerable damage to your property.
With over 30 years’ experience, rely on plumbing specialists Greenstar to find and sort your water leak as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Based out of Dorset, Greenstar are one of the UK’s leading plumbing and boiler companies with over 30 years of experience working on residential and commercial installations, servicing and emergency repairs.
For reliable, professional and experienced plumbers and Gas Safe registered gas engineers that you can trust, contact Greenstar on 01202 355344 today.