How to Find a Water Leak in your Home

A leak in your home can quickly become a costly experience. It is important to catch a leak early, or while it is still small, to prevent it from becoming a larger and costlier issue. 

There are several places around your home that a leak can occur and it is best to know where they can occur, and how to check for them/what to look out for. Below is a list of places that you may find a leak in and around your home, as well as what to look for.

Toilet

Is water constantly running into the bowl? Or is there a leak in the toilet’s tap? Is there a puddle on the ground around the base of the toilet and you aren’t sure where it came from?

There are a variety of causes for any of the above, including: 

• Worn inlet or outlet valve washers.
• Leaking flush cone rubber or pan collar.
• Cistern needs servicing.

To help prevent your toilets from leaking – or at least be able to catch any issues early – you should inspect your toilets inner workings regularly. This check is to make sure the working components are still in good shape and functioning properly. To do this, take the lid of the cistern off and flush the toilet. Watch how all the components work and make sure the flapper is sealing well and the fill valve stops running when the water is at an appropriate level.

Do you think you may have a leaking cistern but not 100% sure? Why not put it to the test yourself? You can do this by following the below steps:

1. Remove the lid of the cistern.
2. Put in approximately 10 drops of food colouring into the water in the cistern.
3. Put the lid back on. Don’t use or flush the toilet.
4. Wait approximately 10-15 minutes and then look in the bowl. If you see coloured water, you have a leak.

Taps

Tap leaks can present themselves in a variety of ways including a puddle around the base of the tap or rust showing up.

There are many different causes of leaking taps, including but not limited to:

• The washer or ceramic disc needing replacing.
• The tap(s) may need to be serviced.
• Your taps may need to be reseated. This enables the taps washer to gain the tightest seal, helping to stop the leak.
• General wear and tear over the tap’s lifetime.

There are a couple of things that you can do to help prolong the life of your tap and help to prevent any leaks from occurring. 

• Only close (turn off) the tap tight enough that they stop running.
• Use water proof lubricant to help prolong the life of your spindles and o-rings. 
• Have your taps regularly serviced.

Hot Water System

Your hot water system can be located internally or externally and can be either electric or gas. You should check your entire hot water system for leaks – even for the smallest sign of one. If there aren’t any noticeable leaks, listen for any hissing sounds which may indicate a hidden leak. 

For more information about what to do if your hot water system is leaking, check out our blog post! https://canberraplumbing.net.au/plumbing-tips/what-to-do-when-your-hws-is-leaking/

Garden Leaks

Check around your front yard and your back yard for any leaks. This includes checking your garden taps, irrigation system, hoses, as well as checking any connections and fittings that you have outside. Leaks can be caused by general wear and tear, weather conditions, or external damage – such as a pet chewing on connections. 

Shower Heads

If you have a dripping shower head it may mean that something needs tightening, a washer may need replacing, or the entire head may need to be replaced. If you think that it may be leaking but cannot see any evidence on the head itself, try placing a bucket or container underneath and check it after a while to see if there is any water in it. If you know you have a leak, to not waste more water before you get it fixed, place a bucket underneath and use the water it collects to water your plants or garden.

Pipe Leaks

A leaking pipe – whether the pipe is concealed or open – can occur anywhere in your home and it is important to know what to look for. Signs of a leaking pipe can include water pooling, damp patches, and mould or mildew forming.

If you have a leaking pipe – especially if you aren’t 100% sure where it the leak is coming from – it is important to contact a professional as soon as possible to identify where the leak is coming from and repair it before it becomes a larger, potentially damaging, issue. 

Do you have a leak in your home? Do you know where it is coming from, or unsure of its location? Canberra Plumbing and Drains can help. Our technicians are highly qualified and skilled to repair any leak from the smallest dripping tap to an unidentified pipe leak. Give our team a call today on 0474 488 899 to book in your appointment to repair the leak as soon as possible – before it becomes a bigger issue!