Find and Repair Plumbing Leaks around the House

Plumbing leaks can happen at any time. While a small leak can be a nuisance, in many cases, it is not a difficult problem to repair, if you have the right understanding of how to repair plumbing leaks.  

We have compiled a list of helpful tips below from the industry experts, so you can be prepared in the event of a plumbing leak in your home.

Here are a few things you should know about how to repair plumbing leaks in your home:

1) Understand how much water you use

It is always a good idea to have an idea of how much water you and your family use on a monthly basis. Having a general knowledge of your water usage, by periodically checking your water meter can help you to see if you have a leak somewhere in the house.

The Environmental Protection Agency noted that if a household of 4 finds that it's using more than 12,000 gallons per month during cooler seasons, this is a sure-fire sign of serious leaks.

Even a small leak can rack up giant water bills if not repaired quickly. The EPA found that leaks in homes across the country waste as much as 1 trillion gallons every year! This is the equivalent of regular water usage in more than 11 million homes. Address leaks promptly and don't let that water drip onto the ground or run down the drain – repairing plumbing leaks quickly will help to conserve this important resource.

2) Located the main shut-off valve in your home

It's critical to know where the main water shut-off valve is located in your home. HouseLogic pointed out that if there's ever a leak anywhere in the house, you can use the main shut-off valve to cut off the water supply to the entire home- immediately.

3) Consider using additional shut-off valves

It can also be helpful to have shut-off valves installed around your house. Additional shut-off valves are inexpensive items, with most selling for under $10. Installing additional valves can allow you to shut off the water in certain areas of your home for repairs, while keeping it running in other rooms. With additional valves, someone can still shower while you're fixing the kitchen sink.

4) Identify toilet leaks

Leaks near the toilet can be a bit harder to identify, especially if they are inside the toilet's flushing system.

The EPA offers the following tip: A few drops of food coloring in the tank of the toilet can help you to identify a leak. If any coloring begins to appear in the water in the bowl after about 10 minutes, you have a plumbing leak.

Often, a toilet's flapper or valve seal can be the culprit for a toilet leak. This small rubber part can decay if it hasn't been replaced in a while, or might not fit exactly right if minerals have built up. Flappers and valve seals are relatively simple and inexpensive to replace – with the water turned off, of course.

5) Contact a plumbing professional

Some leaks are easier to repair than others. For tougher jobs, it's important to consult a plumbing professional to ensure that things are fixed correctly, the first time.

For more information regarding your residential plumbing, including installation and repairs, contact your local Roto-Rooter plumbing expert today.