Look in the kitchen, bathroom/s and laundry for dripping taps or leaking washing machine and dishwasher connections. Damp patches on the walls may also indicate a leak. You can check your toilet cistern for leaks by placing a few drops of food colouring in the tank.
The most common water leaks are found on leaking toilets, dripping taps and storage tanks in the loft. This can be costly when it comes to the water bill. Water leaks can happen on anything when the hot water or central heating is not maintained correctly.
Faucets. A leaky faucet dripping at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water per year.
Thermal imaging cameras. Thermal imaging cameras, or heat scanners', can be used to help find hidden leaks in hot water pipes under floorboards, concrete and behind walls. Thermography cameras can help identify problem areas that the naked eye cannot detect, revealing hidden water leaks that are otherwise out of sight ...
Ground microphones or listening discs are acoustic listening devices that a plumber uses to find leaks. Also, an acoustic amplifier can be used to amplify the sound of plumbing leaks that may be too quiet to hear.
While you might detect signs of a leak on your own, finding the leak's source typically requires a professional. An inspector may need to feed a camera into the pipes to pinpoint the source. Detection alone can cost $150–$600, depending on how hard it is to find the leak.
Signs you have an underground water leak outside
Sewage smells. One area of your lawn that is unusually green compared to the rest of your lawn. Cracking and breaking of paved areas (like a driveway or concrete slab) Flooded water around a sprinkler head or water spurts between sprinklers.
Checking for Leaks
The average household's leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year and ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day. Common types of leaks found in the home are worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves.
To find a leak in a brick wall, you should test the masonry bit by bit by spraying it with water. When you see water pouring down the brick, you have your culprit. You can also check for mold and mildew as well as color changes to the brick.
Like most plumbing problems you'll encounter, water leaks don't fix themselves. A pipe leak won't magically go away. If you procrastinate, or leave it to “next weekend,” that water damage is only going to get worse.
Leak detection is an accurate form of finding water leaks in your home. Utilising advanced equipment, leak detection can give an accuracy rate of upwards of 90%. This high accuracy rate means that minimal damage will be inflicted upon your home and that you can get the plumbing issue sorted as quickly as possible.
Plumbers usually charge for their work by the hour, and the national average cost is about $100 per hour plus a service fee or minimum charge. Overall, hourly rates for plumbing can range from $25 to $200, depending on the experience level of the plumber and on the repair needed.
Locate your water meter and check the leak indicator to see if it is moving. Depending on the brand of your meter, the leak indicator could be a small triangular shaped dial or a small silver wheel that rotates when water is flowing through the meter. If the dial is moving, chances are, you have a leak.
Use high-quality, water-resistant paints containing elements like silicon that provide extra strength to areas prone to seepage. Seal the gaps between window and door frames and walls. Remove the plasters from the dampened areas and apply a layer of white cement or mortar or any other waterproof material.
Get a Moisture Meter
One of the tools that can help you locate leaks inside walls is a moisture meter. This instrument is used to measure the moisture content in materials. A normal reading for drywall, concrete, and other masonry components would be less than one percent.
Turn off the water supply to the leaking pipes and clean the area around the hole to be patched. Use a metal file to smooth any sharp edges that might cut through the patch. Apply the patch and repair clamp so it evenly overlaps the damaged section of pipe. Tighten the clamps to seal the leak.