It is not difficult to determine if there is a leak in your plumbing system. If you find the hole, you will have to spend a lot less on hiring a plumber. Determining the leak means you have done half of the job on your own. As the plumber will not have to find the hole, he can directly work on fixing it. In several cases, you can even set the leak yourself as well.
Maybe your dishwasher or washing machine pipes are faulty. Or perhaps it’s your toilet. What if there are no signs of a leak inside the house? Oh, you haven’t checked outside yet, have you? Leaks can be anywhere where your pipes run through, in, or outside the home.
Here are some simple ways to determine leaks in your house.
Finding a Leak in Your House
There are several things inside your house that might be leaking. It can result in your bathroom, your kitchen, or maybe, your basement. Following are the most potent ways to look for leaks:
1. Check Your Water Meter
The best way to determine leaks outside is by checking the water meter. Take a reading, and do not turn on any tap for half an hour. Retake the test. If there’s a difference, this shows there is a leak in your house.
2. Faucets
Starting with faucets, have a look onto your kitchen sink. If you hear dripping water quite frequently in the kitchen, the faulty valve can be a reason. Faucet usually leaks due to worn out rubber washers inside it. The machine of your sink is present under the handle. This positioning makes it easier to replace the appliance using the right tools. You do not need to shut off the water supply to the sink or the main shutoff valve to remove the handle and replace the washer.
However, if you have no prior experience, going for professional assistance is the best idea.
3. Toilets
Toilet leaks are usually silent, and so, you might not even notice while hundreds of gallons of water keep wasting every day. When you do regular plumbing maintenance, it is essential to see for the signs of leaks in your toilet. Even a smaller one can cause a lot of damage and waste a lot of water. Toilet leaks are also easy to repair, only if you know how to do so.
The most straightforward hack to determine a leak in your toilet is through the use of food coloring. Remove the tank lid and put a few drops of food coloring. After 20 to 30 mins, observe if any color is present in the toilet bowl. If you see food coloring, you know your toilet leaks.
To know where the leak in the toilet is, you can use different food coloring for different parts. This way, the respective color in the toilet bowl will tell you about the location of the leak.
Flapper Valve
The flapper valve is one of the most common reasons for the leaking toilet—this rubber valve, usually placed at the bottom of the tank. As you flush the toilet, it lifts. Improper working or worn out rubber can cause the leaks. Replacing this valve stop water wastage.
Flush Handle
Another reason for a toilet leak is its old flush handle. If you need to push the handle, again and again, to keep the toilet from running, there must be some loosened nuts. Try tightening the nut bolts. If it still does not work, replace the flush handle.
Overflow Tube
Overflow tubes can also cause toilet leaks. The water level should be set to ½” below the overflow tube. This factor allows you to shut the overflow tube when water pressure is too high, and water is flowing into the overflow tube. If it still does not fix the issue, call the plumber for the required repairs.
4. Boiler
Your boiler valves might be causing leaks. So check the pipes, and you will get to know if there is some leakage. Also, look for watermarks on the floor under the valves. If your house has a central heating boiler, you need to contact a specialist. These can be signs of serious problems that you cannot fix yourself.
Several licensed plumbers in Singapore deal with water heaters and boilers repair and replacement.
5. Showerheads
Over time, parts of your showerhead start showing signs of wear and tear, which results in potential leaks. If you observe low water pressure while showering or if there’s clogging in the showerhead, it causes leaks. Cleaning your showerhead can remove clogging and improve water pressure. Also, it fixes the leaks.
6. Appliances
We use appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines quite regularly. Due to everyday use, these appliances tend to shift a bit from their original position. This drift leads to loosened valves and pipes. And so, this can be a potential sign of a leak.
7. Observe Damp Patches
If you could not find any leak inside your house, the problem might be outside. Maybe it’s your garden, garage, or the main shut off valve.
Look for any damp patches in your garden and garage. If there’s a place where water often accumulates, it might be due to water leaking underground pipes. As it is not possible to dig and fix the underground pipes on your own, it is best to leave the job to a professional.
Call the Professional Plumbers in Singapore
There are several plumber services in Singapore that offer their service 24/7. SG Plumbers are the best plumbers in Singapore and provide the best plumber prices. So if you are looking for a cheap and efficient plumber to tackle your leaks, you must consider SG Plumbing.
Also, these offer plumbing contracts in Singapore. If you have shifted to a new house or your house is under construction, you can rely on us to provide top notch plumbing services.
As for a final verdict, detecting leaks might not be very challenging, but fixing them is. If you cannot handle it on your own, it is best to call a professional instead of messing it up.
SG Plumbing is Singapore’s longest plumbing service, with the most reliable and cheapest plumbing contractors. We are the best plumber price you can get in Singapore. Contact us today.