Have you been hearing dripping noises lately but can’t find the source?
Leaks can happen inside your toilet, behind walls, under sinks, and in the ceiling, making it hard to know where to look when you hear unexpected drips.
Early water leak detection is crucial for Sydney families to avoid excess water bills and water damage that can cost thousands of dollars to repair. If you’ve heard water dripping out of sight, don’t risk putting it out of mind.
In this article we’ll show you 5 genius hacks to detect a plumbing leak in your house (even if you’re not handy and don’t know where to look). Plus, we’ll offer some quick and free tips to help you stop your leaks for good.
#1 – Check the last two digits of the water meter
If a leaking pipe is underground or behind a wall then it’s going to be tough for you to spot. You can get creative by turning off every water source in your home if you suspect there’s a leak occurring somewhere on your property.
That means turning off:
- Every tap
- The toilet
- The dishwasher
- The washing machine
Now check your water meter by writing down the last two digits. If the water meter number continues to rise over the next 30 minutes it’s likely you’ve got a leak somewhere in your home – otherwise the water meter wouldn’t move with all your appliances and taps turned off.
If your water meter does keep moving it’s best to call in a local Sydney plumber to diagnose the problem and find the leak before your water bill skyrockets or structural damage occurs.
#2 – Add food colouring to the toilet
It’s tough to spot leaks in the toilet because that’s where water should be. But if you’ve got water leaking from your cistern into the bowl then your water bill can be unexpectedly high.
A clever trick to spot leaks in your toilet is to add food colouring to the tank (5 or 6 drops will do). Wait 30 minutes then check the water in the bowl. If the food colouring has moved from the tank to the bowl, you’ve got a small leak that needs fixing.
Excess water pooling around the base of the toilet may also be a sign of leaks (or possibly an inaccurate family member). If you’re spotting constant water in and around the toilet, consider contacting your local Sydney plumber to fix the problem.
At Emergency Plumbers we offer lifetime guarantees on all labour, so you can rest easy knowing you’ll only have to deal with your toilet troubles once.
#3 – Check your faucets for faulty o-rings
If there’s a leak in your faucets you may already be suffering through an endless dripping noise while you try to sleep.
A dripping tap may not seem like a big deal, but it can waste over 9,000 litres of water every year (and you’ll be paying for the wastage on each bill). To avoid bill shock, check each tap in your home for leaks by first drying the area around your sink.
Once the sink is dry, turn on your taps. Look carefully for water seeping out the base of each faucet. If you see excess water you may have a faulty o-ring that has cracked or dried up. Most home improvement stores (like Bunnings) sell replacement o-rings so if you spot a small leak you can save money and make the repair yourself.
#4 – Follow the water in your bathroom
Your bathroom is supposed to be wet, so it’s tough to spot excess water and leaks without a few creative strategies.
Start by looking for mould. Mould and mildew thrive in dark, moist places so if you spot mould on your walls or in certain sections of your roof, this may be a sign of a leaking pipe out of view.
If your Sydney home has wallpaper or paint, keep an eye out for peeling sections inside and outside the bathroom. Peeling wallpaper or paint may be a sign of continuous water flowing out of view. This type of water flow behind the walls can also cause loose tiles, as water seeps through grout and caulk and forces tiles loose.
#5 – Call in your local emergency plumber
Sometimes the cleverest approach is also the simplest.
A Sydney plumber can diagnose leaking pipes quickly and accurately, which means you spend less time crawling under sinks or through the roof, and more time relaxing.
At Emergency Plumbers we pride ourselves on our attention to detail and commitment to helping Sydney families keep their water bills down. That’s why we offer $25 off all plumbing jobs and provide 24/7 sameday service from North Sydney to Blacktown.
We understand not every job needs a professional plumber. So if you’ve got faulty o-rings or your toilet is leaking, you can save money and tackle the job yourself. But if you’re concerned about water leaking behind your walls, or your meter continues to rise with all taps and appliances off, it’s helpful to know there’s experts ready to lend a hand.
What to do next if you’ve found a leak in your home
Spotting a leak in your plumbing is never ideal, but it’s crucial you act ASAP to stop further damage.
A drop of water every few seconds may not seem like much, but over weeks and months this excess water can blow out your water bill, and cause damage behind the walls of your home. When water damage and rot sets in, the repairs can spiral into tens of thousands of dollars.
With our 5 clever leak-detecting tips, you’ll be able to protect your Sydney home, save money, and avoid bigger problems down the line too.
At Emergency Plumbers we understand there’s never a good time for a leak. That’s why we offer a 24/7 service with lifetime guarantees on labour so if you need to fix a plumbing problem call Emergency Plumbers Sydney or fill out a form for a FAST, FREE quote today.
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