Knowing how to locate leaks, make simple repairs, or when to call technicians is a good skill to have. Fixing leaks is good for your water bill, your home, and the environment. Household leaks account for an annual loss of purified drinking water estimated around 2.1 trillion gallons. A single household leak can waste more than 10,000 gallons of water every year – that is the same as washing 270 loads of laundry.
To save yourself the cost of wasted water, it pays to check for leaks in your home and correct any problems.
To save yourself the cost of wasted water, it pays to check for leaks in your home and correct any problems.
How to Detect Hidden Leaks
Some leaks are obvious. Perhaps your sink faucet is dripping, or your toilet is double-flushing. Sometimes leaks are hidden within the walls, while a pipe steadily pours its contents behind your drywall. These leaks not only waste money but can slowly mold and erode your home from the inside out.
The best way to check your home for hidden leaks is to follow the numbers. Namely, the numbers on your water meter. Check your water meter before a long stretch of time you know nobody will use any water – before work, when no one is home, or before bed are the best times. Then, check the meter again in the morning. If the numbers have changed, you may have a leak.
Finding the source of the leak is another matter. The water could be coming from leaky plumbing, a slab leak, or other hard-to-find areas. Check your basement ceilings for any water damage. Baseboards and corners may also discolor if a pipe in the walls is saturating the building materials. Vinyl flooring tends to curl at the edges when wet, paint will peel, and corners may get damp or mold.
The best way to check your home for hidden leaks is to follow the numbers. Namely, the numbers on your water meter. Check your water meter before a long stretch of time you know nobody will use any water – before work, when no one is home, or before bed are the best times. Then, check the meter again in the morning. If the numbers have changed, you may have a leak.
Finding the source of the leak is another matter. The water could be coming from leaky plumbing, a slab leak, or other hard-to-find areas. Check your basement ceilings for any water damage. Baseboards and corners may also discolor if a pipe in the walls is saturating the building materials. Vinyl flooring tends to curl at the edges when wet, paint will peel, and corners may get damp or mold.
Simple DIY Repairs
Many sources of water damage are easy to fix. Here are some workaround solutions that don’t require plumbers.
1. Shower and Bathtub Drains. Tubs and showers leaking through the access panel sometimes need a new gasket. Start by unscrewing the drain flange, then the rubber gasket under the drain hole. The new gasket can easily be slipped into place. Clean the flange and consider using silicone caulk to provide a better seal. Finally, screw the flange back in place.
Tiles. Leaky tiles happen when the caulk and tile adhesives fail to form a proper seal against the wall. If you can see gaps in the tile, there is almost guaranteed to be mold, too. Slowly chip away at the caulk for signs of water stains or mold. If you find damage, remove everything in the damp area. A crowbar and a hammer is usually enough for small bathroom tiles. If the substrate behind the tile is damp or sagging, you will need to replace the backer board before the new tile is put in place. Replace and re-caulk the tiles to establish your new water barrier.
Toilet Repair. Sometimes the flange leaks where the toilet connects to the waste pipe. Water pooling around the toilet may be due to a poorly-installed or old wax ring. The flange may be cracked, or the toilet’s bolts may have rusted or broken. There are several easy fixes:
Feeling overwhelmed? Contact the professional Eco plumbers in Cape Coral, Florida for all your plumbing repair needs!
1. Shower and Bathtub Drains. Tubs and showers leaking through the access panel sometimes need a new gasket. Start by unscrewing the drain flange, then the rubber gasket under the drain hole. The new gasket can easily be slipped into place. Clean the flange and consider using silicone caulk to provide a better seal. Finally, screw the flange back in place.
Tiles. Leaky tiles happen when the caulk and tile adhesives fail to form a proper seal against the wall. If you can see gaps in the tile, there is almost guaranteed to be mold, too. Slowly chip away at the caulk for signs of water stains or mold. If you find damage, remove everything in the damp area. A crowbar and a hammer is usually enough for small bathroom tiles. If the substrate behind the tile is damp or sagging, you will need to replace the backer board before the new tile is put in place. Replace and re-caulk the tiles to establish your new water barrier.
Toilet Repair. Sometimes the flange leaks where the toilet connects to the waste pipe. Water pooling around the toilet may be due to a poorly-installed or old wax ring. The flange may be cracked, or the toilet’s bolts may have rusted or broken. There are several easy fixes:
- Low flanges can be reinstalled with a plastic flange riser over the current flange.
- Shims slipped under the toilet base will keep a toilet stable and prevent rocking.
- Metal repair flanges should be installed if the bolt slots on the toilet are broken or the toilet is not properly attached to the subfloor.
- If the flange is okay and the toilet is stable, replace the wax ring.
Feeling overwhelmed? Contact the professional Eco plumbers in Cape Coral, Florida for all your plumbing repair needs!