Water Leak Detection Methods

If you suspect you have a water leak, there are many methods to detect where it is coming from. These methods include checking the water meter, checking leak-prone areas in kitchens and bathrooms, and looking for signs of leaks in outdoor piping.

Checking the water meter

The water meter can tell you if you have a water leak. Turn off all water flow inside and outside the house. Now, go out to the meter. Some meters have a leak detector on it (usually a triangular dial or a silver wheel). If this detector is moving, you have a leak somewhere.

If the meter does not have an indicator, take a reading, then wait an hour and take another reading. If the reading has changed, you have a water leak.

To see if the water leak is inside the house, do another test using the water meter and the house main shut off valve. Turn off the main shut off valve to stop water flow into your house. Go out to the meter and check for leaks like you did before. If the meter indicates a water leak, then it is outside since the house flow is cut-off.

Checking leak-prone areas in kitchens and bathrooms

Food coloring makes tracking a toilet leak easy. Place a few drops of food coloring into the tank. If you find the coloring seeps into the bowl, then you likely have a loose or broken flapper. If you have liquid leaking onto the floor, you can find out if it is coming from the tank or the bowl. Place different colors in each and wait for it to appear on the floor.

A leaking faucet or drain pipe will leave liquid underneath the bath or kitchen sink. If you ever find liquid puddling beneath the sink, you should stop using it immediately and get the problem fixed. Pooled water can damage the cabinets and lead to mold and mildew growth.

Swollen particleboard is one sign of a leaking sink rim. If you have a laminate countertop, you may notice buckling around the edges of the sink. Look at it from the bottom. If you see the particleboard is warped and swollen, the edge of the sink has a water leak.

Checking for outdoor leaks

You may have a part of the yard that is always green and lush, even in the deepest droughts. A water leak can happen in any pipe that goes underground. You may notice that one part of the yard is always moist. The grass and plants above always appear well-watered. The yard may be slightly sunken in that area due to a broken sprinkler pipe, water main, or sewer main.

These simple methods will tell you where a water leak might be happening. If you have a leak, contact us here at Allen’s Tri-State Mechanical. Call us at (806) 376-8345 or Contact Us via email. You can also stop by our location at 404 S. Hayden St. in Amarillo, Texas. We pride ourselves in outstanding customer service and quality work in every aspect we do whether it is commercial or residential.