Water leaks are problems that can go from zero to a hundred quite suddenly. It can result in expensive water bills, as well as significant damage to your home. The water supply can also be contaminated if the leak comes from sewage pipe, so it can also be a health hazard.

If you’re a homeowner, you should have good leak detection habits. Here are 4 simple and easy water leak detection methods you can try right now.

1. Check Your Water Meter

This is a leak detection routine you should do every now and then. It’s good practice that you can do every six months or so to make sure you don’t have any leaks that may be costing you money over time.

Turn off all the water in your home and make sure the dishwasher and washing machine are not running. You then go to your water meter and write down the initial reading. You then wait and see if there are any changes.

If it changes within a minute, you have a fast-moving leak somewhere. If there are no changes right away, wait two hours and check it again. If a change is only apparent within an hour or so, you may have a slow leak.

That leak could be anywhere, either after the meter or even underground. Take note that all piping after the meter is your responsibility, so you’ll have to check them yourself. You may also hire a plumber to check them for you.

2. Monitor Your Water Bill

Maybe you have a really slow leak that doesn’t show up right away in your water meter test. Monitor your monthly water bills and see if there are any drastic changes.

This is best if you are able to regulate your own water usage. If your regular water bills are consistent, then you’ll be able to detect an abnormality easily. Not only is this a leak detection method, but it’s also a good habit to develop in life.

While you’re waiting for your next water bill, check your walls and floors for signs of a leak. If you see a telltale stain, that’s likely a leak.

3. Use Food Coloring

Toilets use a significant percentage of water used in a home, and leaks in them can be a hassle to deal with. There’s a trick to leak detection for toilets, which involves using food coloring.

Add a few drops of food coloring to the tank of your toilet and wait a while. If you see color show up in the toilet bowl, even if the flush was never touched, then there’s a leak. Check the flapper and gaskets and replace them if needed.

4. Check Outside

Around 6,300 gallons of wasted water a month on average can be attributed to a pinhole leak outside one’s home. That’s why you should check all faucets and other outlets like spigots, hoses, irrigation systems, and so on.

A good way to do this is what you can call the screwdriver trick. Put a screwdriver against a faucet and put your thumb knuckle against it, then listen for leaks. The screwdriver acts as a stethoscope that lets you hear if there are leaks.

Try this on every outdoor faucet you have. If the sound is louder in one of them, you’re most likely getting closer to the actual leak.

Conclusion

These four easy ways to detect leaks are just some of the many ways you can employ to catch leaks right away before they get bigger. Early leak detection can prevent future problems in your home and property brought on by leaks that are left to persist.

Author Bio: Michael Espina is the Outreach Manager and Writer at ADI Leak Detection, a UK leak detection company.