Generally, on the water pipe that goes to your house there is a "dimeter" tool for calculating water usage bills. Leaks that occur in your pipes can have an impact on your water bill. However, through a few simple techniques you can do, even the smallest leaks can be found and can save you from a surprise PAM bill. If you've been told there's a leak in your area, here are some steps you can take before calling a plumber. The more you can do yourself, the less it will cost you in the long run!
Step
Method 1 of 6: Hot Water Tank
Step 1. Try checking the Pressure Relief Valve on the hot water tank
Sometimes these valves are piped directly into the sewer and may leak without your knowledge. If you can't get the drain pipe out to check for leaks, try listening for a hissing sound, maybe something is leaking there.
Method 2 of 6: Toilet
Step 1. You can check for leaks in the toilet by removing the top of the tank and listening carefully
If you hear a hiss, try to find out where it's coming from. If you find where the leak is coming from, try to determine if you can fix it. If you can't, it's best to call a plumber.
- If nothing is visible, try using food coloring and putting a few drops into the tank (not the drain hole). Wait a few minutes and if the drain hole is colored, there appears to be a leak in the flapper allowing water to seep out. Here you can guess whether you should fix it yourself, or call a plumber.
- If you have other toilets, go ahead and repeat the process on each one to make sure the problem is not more than one toilet.
Method 3 of 6: Water Meter Line
Step 1. If the toilet is fine, check the path that flows from the meter into the house
While this may sound difficult, you can save money if "you" find the leak for a plumber to follow up.
- If you know you have a shut-off faucet near your home, turn it off temporarily and check the meter by opening the lid and looking at the number on the meter.
- If you can't see the head of the meter, try looking around the house as it could be covered in dirt or grass on top. Once you find it and turn off the faucet, watch the meter to see if it's turning or not. If it's still spinning, then the leak is between the meter and your house. This means that unless the faucet itself is leaking, and this is common with old bronze faucets, then the leak may be in the house.
- At this point, try walking between the meter and the faucet. Look for signs of leaks such as: soft muddy areas, grass that is greener than others or growing faster than other areas. If you see obvious marks, call a plumber or see if you can fix it yourself.
- If you turn off the faucet outside and the meter stops moving, then the leak is somewhere in the house. Try some other techniques to find the problem.
Method 4 of 6: Hose Faucet
Step 1. Try looking for leaks around the house
Your job here includes finding all the hose faucets (hose taps are the water lines you connect your hose to, if you're in doubt whether you have one or not!). Usually, the average home has one hose-tap at the front and one at the back, but be sure to find all you have and check out the following.
- Once you find one, take a screwdriver, preferably one long enough to give yourself enough workspace, and stick the tip of the metal screwdriver directly into the metal part of the hose-tap. Place the knuckle of your thumb on the top of the screwdriver, then place the other knuckle next to your head, right next to your ear. Sound will travel directly to your eardrum. The idea is to make a solid screwdriver like a stethoscope. This method works quite well for most metal faucets.
- Try to listen carefully to the sound that propagates from the faucet and hose. If you hear something, remember where it is (you can mark it with chalk), and walk to the next faucet. If the sound emitted is louder than other hose faucets, the leak is close to the unit. Immediately flag and contact your plumber: by providing this information to a plumber, you will save them time in finding leaks, which in turn saves you money.
- If you've surveyed all the hose-taps and still can't find a sound, go inside and do the same process with your screwdriver on household appliances such as sink faucets, bathroom faucets, washing machines, water heaters (be careful not to let air the heat when working around the water heater). If you're still not sure, try contacting a plumber.
Method 5 of 6: Other Leaks
Step 1. Check the garden or park
Check all hoses, faucets and drip irrigation systems.
Step 2. Check for leaks in the shower head
This should be a fairly easy fix if this is the source of the leak.
Step 3. If you have a swimming pool, it is important to check for any leaks
Method 6 of 6: Covering Some Leaks Is Sometimes Enough
Step 1. Please note that in most cases, leaks can be very difficult to find
Not all of the leaks described in this article can be found and if you're not familiar with being a plumber, you might easily miss something. However, if you try these steps you should at least find an "approximate location" and this is the most valuable exercise on your own as it will help the plumber (many plumbers don't like to find the origin of the problem so what can you do with them? would appreciate it), thus saving the plumber's time and ultimately cutting down on your costs.
Tips
If you can locate the general area of the leak, the plumber will use a hearing aid that will allow him to pinpoint the exact location
Warning
- If you are planning to fix a leak in the toilet, find out how old the house is before you start working. You may find that fixing one leak can lead to one or five more leaks due to aging plumbing components.
- If you suspect a severe leak may be in the water heater, contact a specialist. Don't try to stick a screwdriver in there. You could short circuit or puncture the tank.
- Never dig without a proper location as it is very dangerous and can injure you physically as well as your finances. If you're not sure, always contact the expert, your local plumber!
- Very important! If you find a leak and decide to try digging it up, make sure you contact the PAM office and have them tag their device on your property!
