An essential commodity in our homes is water. It serves best when safely used in a controlled zone such as sinks, tubs, showers, and appliances such as washing machines. However, water can be a safety hazard when it spreads to places it shouldn’t, causing damage to a home’s furnishings and structure. Unless appropriately checked, leaks can go on unnoticed. Go through these steps and tackle them immediately.
Keep Track of your water bill.
It’s easy to predict your water bill and get to know if you receive one that is above your regular account. If you have not used water excessively, then you may have a leak. Experts say a family of four hardly uses more than 12000 gallons monthly exclusive of summer days when you may water your lawn or garden.
Sunshine coast plumbing company advises you not to ignore tiny drops from a faucet. The wastage may amount to several gallons per year. Hence monitoring your bill is an excellent practice.
Take time to watch your meter.
Locate the location of your meter. It’s either at the front, side or back and has a cover resembling a utility hole. Let the following steps guide you on how to monitor:
- Go around the house, switch off all the water taps, and make sure the dishwasher and washing machine are not in use.
- Please go and check the meter and take note of its current reading. Go back after an hour and check if it has the same reading; if not, there is a leak in your home.
- Now determine whether the leak is inside the house or outside. For homes with meters on the street, turn off the main valve where the water enters your home.
- Go to the meter and note the numbers down. Check back after an hour. If the numbers have not changed, then the leak is inside your home. However, if they have, then the leakage is in the water line supplying your home.
Patches of taller and greener grass
Homeowners want a lush lawn. However, if you notice an area with more grass and its growth is faster than the rest. According to a sunshine coast plumbing company, that area could have a leaking underground pipe. It may have a paddle as well if the leakage is a gush.
Monitor fixtures and appliances.
After monitoring your meter indicates a leak, check the sinks, laundry bathroom, and space under the sink. Look out for paddles around and beneath toilets, showers, and tubs. Check under the washing machine, dishwasher, and water heater. Call a professional sunshine coast plumber after shutting off the main water valve or disconnecting that particular appliance if you come across any leakages.
Be on guard for:
- Discolored walls and ceiling
- Bulging or bubbling wallpaper
- A moldy smell and a dripping sound
Watch out for leakages before the damage thereafter catches you off guard. Check your water bills and meter, patches of taller and greener grass, paddles around appliances and bathroom fixtures. Remember to work on them as soon as possible.