An unnoticed plumbing leak is a recipe for disaster. The longer it takes to find and repair the leak, the worse the damage will be. If you’re able to detect a leak before it’s too late, you can save money on plumbing and home repairs. Learn about all the ways you can identify a hidden plumbing leak, and know when to call plumbers in Wichita, KS.

1. Look at Your Water Meter

You don’t need to find water damage or large puddles in your home to know about a leak. Instead, you can check the water meter.

First, turn off all the water fixtures in your home. Make sure your dishwasher and washing machine is off. Then, walk to your water meter. Is the value changing? If so, you have a significant leak somewhere in your plumbing. A working plumbing system will have no water usage when everything is off.

If there is no change in the meter, wait two hours and recheck it. A small change is an indication that you have a minor leak.

It’s impossible to know where your leak is unless you have other signs of a problem. Whether you suspect a small or a large leak, you must act quickly. You need Wichita plumbers to find the leak and fix it. Even a small leak will become major, eventually.

2. Examine Your Water Bills

Your water bill can tell you a lot about your plumbing. According to the EPA, a family of four should only use about 400 gallons of water every day. If your water use is much higher than that, you have a leak in your system.

You should also look at the trends of your water bills. If you develop a sudden leak, your water bill will rise consistently. Carefully examine your bill every month, and a red flag should go off when you see a trend of increasing water use.

When you look at your bill, think of possible causes for an increase in water usage. Did you start watering your yard more frequently? Have you been doing all extra laundry or been entertaining guests? If not, there’s probably a leak somewhere in your system.

The leak might not be in an obvious spot. Regardless of where your leak is, the water usage will cost you. By repairing the issue, you save money on your water bill. More importantly, you prevent water damage and more serious plumbing problems.

3. Use Food Coloring

Out of all the fixtures in your home, the toilet is one of the most wasteful when it comes to water usage. A toilet accounts for as much as 30% of your home’s water use. Therefore, a leak in your toilet could cause a serious problem.

To check for toilet leaks, get out your food coloring. Place several drops of the dye in your toilet tank. Then, wait for about ten minutes and look inside your toilet. Is the water in your bowl colored? If so, there’s a leak in your toilet. Whether or not you flush your toilet, the water is traveling from your tank to your bowl. This wastes your water and will cost you money on your utility bills.

There may be a way to fix your leak, or you might need a new toilet bowl. To resolve your problem, speak with a professional plumber.

4. Check For Outdoor Leaks

When most people think of plumbing leaks, they think of faucet and toilet leaks. But your plumbing problem may not be indoors – it could be on the outside.

Take a walk through your yard and look for signs of leaks. Turn on each of your spigots and make sure the water doesn’t seep through anywhere. If it seeps between a hose and the connection point, there’s an issue with the hose gasket.

It’s also crucial to check your irrigation system. Run your system and check all of your sprinkler heads. Even a small leak in the line will cost you money. Every month, thousands of gallons of water could go to waste. Additionally, the leaks cause water to build up and attract pests like mosquitoes.

As you inspect your yard, pay attention to the grass. Are there areas that seem lusher than others? If so, you may have an underground leak in your system. It’s worth calling one of the Wichita plumbers to check for problems.

5. Be a Detective

You can use your intuition to check for leaks. If you notice a moldy smell or see mold on your cabinets and walls, you should investigate. Mold only grows if there’s moisture. Consider whether or not a plumbing leak could be the cause of your mold growth.

Be on the lookout for other signs of plumbing leaks. If you see water stains or hear a dripping faucet, take action. Call a plumber and ask them to inspect your plumbing.

Individuals who live in homes that are 25 years or older should be particularly cautious. Check all of your plumbing connections for leaks. When there’s discoloration or oxidation at a connection point, there may be a hidden leak.

6. Call One of the Plumbers in Wichita, KS

Your plumbing system needs some TLC. Perhaps the best way to identify leaks is to work with an expert. Once a year, have a plumber come out and inspect your system. As they do, they’ll look for leaks and other problems. They can identify issues and stop leaks before significant damage occurs.

Unless you have years of training, you won’t be able to identify all of the hidden plumbing leaks. Plumbers are trained in leak detection. Additionally, they have access to tools and resources that make it easy to find leaks.

As soon as you suspect a leak in your plumbing, it’s time to call one of the best plumbers in Wichita, KS. With their help, you can find and repair leaks. Doing so will prevent water damage, more costly repairs, and the inconvenience that comes with broken plumbing systems. Here at Eck Services, we’re ready to find your plumbing leaks. Call us today to learn more.