5 ways to avoid household water leaks

water leaks

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If you have ever experienced household water leaks, you know how bad they are. Not only do these petty things cause annoying dibbling sounds and demand our time and energy to get them fixed but they are also responsible for water wastage. In addition they put extra stress on the environment. Leaks beneath flooring or behind walls can also structurally damage you home. In order to be ready for burst pipes and leak detection at home, it’s necessary you keep your eyes and ears open.

If you keep on checking for any water leak in your home’s kitchen, bathroom, or sewage system, it’s possible to get it fixed sooner and easier. Still the best way is to avoid water leaks at home. Taking the following proactive steps in order to prevent pipe bursting and water leaking in your home can help you save a lot of energy and money in the future:

While some leaks are obvious as these happen in front of your eyes, a few of these notorious ones are hidden from you. Listen for any running water source in your home. If the bathroom flush doesn’t stop filling or performs phantom flush, chances are there is a hidden leak in the system. Such things can lead to around 50% of hike in monthly water bills.

Not only pipes’ condition can tell you about the leaks, area around the pipes must also be inspected for the leakage signs.

Go beneath your eye level and check for any leaks below the refrigerators, sinks, and dishwashers. Many a times, big leaks happen in these areas. Thus, it is necessary to spot these and fix these as soon as possible. So, perform these checks at least once a year.

As a rule, you should change your washing machine’s hoses every five years. Reinforced steel based hoses are better than the ones made of rubber. If possible, invest in these and you can spend the next five to six years without worrying about them. It’s also a good practice to turn off the water supply to your washing machine if you know your house is going to remain closed for days.

Also, make it an annual practice to check your household water heaters. Any leak or corrosion can be damaging as it can cause leaks in the near future. Water heaters with anode rods help attracting corrosive material in water and prevent rust. Make sure they are free of any corrosion.

Sometimes leaks happen in pipes beneath floors or behind walls. To detect these leaks you need to close all taps at nights and note your water meter reading. Make sure you don’t use any water at night. Warn other family also to not use water at night. Once you wake up in the morning take the water meter reading again. If the reading has advanced there may be hidden leaks in these pipes. Try doing a visual inspection of walls and floors to see if their is any dampness to broadly identify areas of leaks. The next step should be to call plumbers who will bring in professional equipment to correctly identify the location and fix the leaks. Good plumbers will also have additional equipment to dry the area and check leaks in other locations.

Timely action to avoid burst pipes and leaks by taking the above precautions can help you save big on time and money. If you find any leaks in your home, consulting a professional plumber as soon as possible. This will save you more money than delaying the call to the plumber.

Anthony HarmerPlumbing SupervisorPlumbers Direct NSW Pty Ltd