Worried about leaks? Try out these tips for finding leaks before they become a real issue.
When left unchecked, leaks can become a serious issue in any home. Leaks and other plumbing issues can result in plumbing or other serious water damage. Not only can water damage be devastating for your home’s infrastructure, it can also leave you with stubborn mold issues and extremely high repair costs. Avoid water damage by inspecting your plumbing system regularly and preventing leaks from getting out of control. Here are our top tips for detecting leaks to help you keep your plumbing well-maintained.
Check Your Hot Water Tank
The hot water tank is a good place to start when you’re looking for leaks in your plumbing. Listen for a hissing sound that can indicate running water from a leak, and if possible, check the pressure relief valve. If the valve is inside a drain, it can be difficult to detect a leak and you should remove the drain pipe if you can. If you find a leak in or around your hot water tank, be sure to call a professional plumber to avoid the leak getting out of control and causing water damage.
Check the Toilets
Toilets use a lot of water during an average day in your home. Leaks in your toilet can cause your water usage to soar, not to mention cause water damage in your walls and basement. Check your toilets for leaks by removing the lid from the tank and listening for hissing noises. If you don’t notice any hissing noises, a good way to check your toilets is by placing a few drops of food coloring in the tank and waiting a few minutes. Check the bowl of the toilet–if the food coloring has made its way into the bowl, there is probably a leak involving the flapper that will require attention to avoid serious (and expensive) plumbing issues.
Check the Meter
To check your meter, you’ll need to find the shut-off valve near your home. Shut it off temporarily, remove the lid, and check the dial. If the meter is still turning, this can indicate a leak between the meter and your house or a leaking valve. This is actually common for some older bronze valves, so the issue can be easily solved before any serious problems arise. In addition to looking in these key spots for potential leaks in your plumbing, it’s a good idea to have a plumbing professional inspect your plumbing system regularly.
Call Mahon Plumbing Today
If you’re ready to see how an upgrade can help your home, the experts at Mahon plumbing are here to help. Mahon Plumbing has been serving the Baltimore region’s plumbing needs since 1994. We’re ready to offer quality plumbing services and gas installation for both commercial and residential uses. Our tracks and employees are ready to handle the toughest of jobs.
For more information, follow our blog or check us out on Facebook or Twitter. We’re able to offer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week emergency services. Please contact our Baltimore location at 410-766-8566 and our Pasadena location at 410-636-7944 if you have any questions or are in need of emergency services.