In the United States, minor water leaks account for 1 trillion gallons of wasted water annually. That’s the same amount of water used by 11 million homes for the whole year!
While a minor leak might not seem like much to you, in the grand scheme of things, it can add up. If you want to do your part to conserve water, the first step is to locate any leaks within your home.
Keep reading to discover how to find a water leak in your house.
Monitor Your Water Bill
If you’re wondering how to find a water leak, the easiest thing you can do is monitor your water bill.
Your water bill is calculated by the water rate multiplied by your consumption. There may be additional fees, like wastewater, added on as well.
Because of this calculation, each bill will contain the gallons of consumption for the billing period. If your water use is consistent, your usage shouldn’t change much month to month. If you see a spike in recent months, this is likely due to a water leak.
Keep in mind the time of year when you’re comparing bills. If you use sprinklers in the warmer months or fill a pool in the summer, your bill will obviously spike then.
Look for Clues
Looking for clues is the next step to take if you’re asking how to find a leak.
The main clues that you have a leak include:
- Discoloration of your walls or water stains
- Water collecting on floors or areas where it shouldn’t be
- Wallpaper or paint bubbling or bulging
- Mold growth
Keep in mind that some leaks may occur underground or in inaccessible locations. Just because you don’t see any visible clues of a leak doesn’t mean that there isn’t one.
Call in Professional Help
If you think you have water leaks in your house but are unable to locate proof, you need a plumber.
A professional will know exactly where to look for the most common house leaks. But they don’t stop at just finding a water leak. Instead, they’ll discover the root cause of the leak and fix your plumbing so you no longer have to worry about it.
Some plumbers will even fix any damage caused by the leak! Instead of searching your house for a leak you suspect, save yourself time and hassle, and call your plumber ASAP.
Now You Know How to Find a Water Leak in Your House
After reading this article, you now know how to find a water leak in your house.
Start by monitoring your water bill to see if your usage has increased over the past months. Then, look for clues of a leak, such as wall discoloration, wet floors, or bubbling paint. Finally, call in a professional to accurately locate and fix the issue.
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