There are few things that are more inconvenient than having a serious plumbing leak in your Belgrade, MT home. When this happens, it can cause all sorts of problems, including water damage, mold growth, and costly repair bills. However, if you identify a plumbing leak early, you can have it fixed before it becomes more severe. This can save you quite a bit of money and hassle in the long run. Here, we’ll take a look at some of the most common ways that you can detect hidden plumbing leaks in your home.
1. Closely Monitor Your Water Bills
For a homeowner, keeping a close eye on monthly utility bills is always wise. If you consistently monitor your household water charges, you may be able to notice when a plumbing leak has developed. Because plumbing leaks allow water to escape your pipes, they typically lead to increased water usage. If the leak is large enough, this can cause a major increase in your monthly water costs.
As soon as you notice an unusual spike in your water bills, it’s best to contact trusted local plumbing professionals. Our plumbers at PJ's Plumbing & Heating will inspect your plumbing system, and if there’s a leak, they will find and repair it.
2. Check Your Water Meter
Another way to check for plumbing leaks in your home is to assess your water meter. This meter is responsible for measuring the amount of water being used in your house. First, you’ll need to shut off all of the water in your home, including all faucets and any appliances that use water. Next, look at the water meter and see whether it’s moving. If the meter moves while all your water is turned off, that likely indicates the presence of a significant plumbing leak.
If you don’t see any movement when you first check the meter, wait a few hours, and then check again. With a minor plumbing leak, the meter may take a while to change, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore the problem. Generally, even small leaks are important to address as soon as possible.
3. Perform a Visual Inspection
Sometimes, leaks in your home will be rather easy to identify. For this reason, it’s worth periodically checking the areas around all of your pipes and appliances. You’ll need to check any areas where a leak is possible, including the space around your dishwasher, toilets, laundry machines, and water heater. If you find any signs of moisture buildup near a pipe or appliance, it likely means that there’s a water leak.
Fortunately, if you find clear evidence of a plumbing leak, it should be no problem to get it fixed. When you already know where the leak is, our team at PJ's Plumbing & Heating can easily assess and repair it.
4. Use Food Coloring in Your Toilets
Toilets are a major culprit of plumbing leaks because they connect directly to waste pipes. That said, it’s fairly easy to determine if your toilets are leaking.
All you need to do is add a few drops of food coloring to the upper tank of the toilet. Then, wait a few minutes, watching to see if the color of the water changes in the toilet bowl. Remember not to flush. If the water in the bowl noticeably changes color, it means that there’s a leak in the tank. In this case, you’ll want to stop using the toilet (if possible) and contact a plumbing professional. Our skilled plumbers at PJ's Plumbing & Heating will locate the leak and thoroughly seal it.
5. Check Your Lawn
Occasionally, you should take a close look at your front yard for any areas of grass that seem darker or greener than usual. This can mean that the patch of grass is receiving more water than the rest of the lawn, which could indicate a leak in the underground piping.
Local Plumbing Professionals
Here at PJ's Plumbing & Heating, we are proud to provide Belgrade residents with premier plumbing services. Our expert plumbers can perform just about every related task you may need. Our offerings include drain cleaning, leak detection, sewer line repair, sump pump services, and water heater repair and replacement.
If you suspect that you have a leak and want to schedule an appointment, contact us at PJ's Plumbing & Heating today!
