Many monthly expenses are relatively stable and easy to pencil into your monthly household budget. One that should typically remain static is your water bill. Most households have a very consistent water consumption, and that keeps your bill equally consistent. But when you are shocked by a sudden increase in this expense, you should begin to hear an alarm bell ringing loudly in your head. In almost every case, an unexpected large water bill is a good indication that you have a water leak in your home.
How To Determine If You Have A Water Leak
If you are paying a water bill, then it only makes sense that your water provider has a way to monitor the amount of water that you are using. This is done with a water meter that is located at or very near your main water shut off valve. Once you have located this meter, checking for a leak in your home is very simple.
- Make sure that no water is being used in your home. This means no faucets, appliances, equipment, or auto-fills such as a pool or spa.
- Next, look closely at the meter. There is a dial that will be rotating if any water is moving through the meter. If your dial is moving, then there is water going somewhere in your home.
- If you think that the dial might be moving very slowly, but you are having trouble deciding, then leave the water off throughout your home and wait for 1 – 2 hours then recheck the dial. It can be helpful to mark the dial with a dot when you begin this process. Then you have a way to compare the reading after an hour or two. If the dial is not pointing to your dot, then there is a leak somewhere in your home.
- Toilets are the most common location for a small water leak. And because the water goes into the drain line, you never notice it. You can check each toilet individually by turning off the water supply line located under the toilet and returning to check your water meter. When you have turned off the toilet with the leak, the dial on the water meter will stop turning. In most cases, the cause of a toilet leak is a damaged or worn out flapper in the tank. This is an easy replacement and should eliminate the leak.
- Once you eliminate the possibility of a leaking toilet, you should become more concerned. Leaks in other locations can be much more serious. While a dripping faucet or shower is wasteful, it will not cause any expensive water damage. But leaks at hose bibs, dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters can cause extensive water damage and even the possibility of toxic black mold growth.
What To Do When You Have A Leak
The best solution for a leak that is hidden or at least not obvious is a call to (214) 388-8838. A Flow Plumbing licensed plumber will arrive promptly for your appointment and begin the process of locating the water leak in your home. You might spend hours looking for the leak. But, our trained professionals can often find the leak in less than an hour thanks to many years of experience and expertise.
A Simple Solution
In most situations, there is a very straightforward repair that is needed. A pipe or fitting could require a repair, or a flex hose needs to be replaced. But regardless of the issue and the repair, we will always provide you with a detailed price quote for the repair or repair options so that you can make a well-informed choice. You also have the right to seek another opinion and assessment before having the leak repaired. Our no-obligation price quote is designed to provide you with options and confidence that you are getting the most for your money.
When you suspect that you have a water leak in your home, don’t delay in calling (214) 388-8838. Time is critical to limiting the water damage in your home and the expense for repairing the leak and any other damage.