How to Find Water Leaks

How to Find Water Leaks

Worried that your water bill is a little high? You might have a water leak. Here’s how to find common water leaks around the home and some easy ways to correct the problem.

How to Find Water Leaks

Sometimes, it’s really obvious when there’s a water leak around the house. Maybe you see water pooling under the shower tray, or you hear a dripping tap. Other times, it’s not so obvious and you need to perform a home inspection.

How you proceed depends on whether or not you have a water meter. Just remember, though, that you can always call a plumber to check for you instead.

Without a Water Meter

There are three fairly easy ways to find water leaks – even if you don’t have a water meter. Let’s break them down.

1. The Smell Test

Yes, really. If you notice a strong smell of damp or sewage around the house, there’s probably a leak somewhere nearby. If the stink is worse in the bathroom or around the sewage lines, that’s an even stronger clue.

2. The Visual Inspection

Next, look for obvious signs of leakage. Check for wet patches around sinks, cisterns and shower trays. Inspect your floor tiles – loose tiles can suggest water leaks.

Check your taps and showerheads, too. If they’re dripping, they’re wasting water.

3. The Wall Check

Noticed any damaged grout around your wall tiles recently? That could be a sign of damp building up behind the tiles. Other telltale signs include damp patches on the walls or even some mouldy spots.

Using Your Water Meter

Got a water meter? Great! This is by far the easiest way to find a water leak.

• Make sure you turn off all taps around the house.
• Check the water meter and note down the number.
• After around 15 minutes, check the meter reading again.

If the number stayed the same, you might not have a leak. However, if there’s any change – however small – you probably have a water leak somewhere.

How to Fix a Leak

You’ve found your water leak and now you need to fix it. So, where do you start?

Well, it depends on the type of leak you’re dealing with – some leaks will require a licenced plumber to clear. Here’s how to tell the difference.

• Minor leaks such as leaky taps: Turn off the water, remove the tap fixture and replace the washer. Check that it’s all securely fitted back in place before you turn the water on!
• Large leaks, including cracked pipes: Don’t try to fix these leaks yourself. You could do more damage than good. Instead, simply call a qualified plumber.

A final tip: never try to fix leaks around sewage pipes or heating tanks on your own.