How to Detect a Leak in Your Home

Have you noticed that your water bill is too high lately, are having problems controlling your home’s humidity, or have noticed any signs of water damage? You may unfortunately have a leak. Although the most common places to find leaks are from faucets and toilets which won’t cause much damage, they’re still well worth pinpointing and repairing just to lower your water bill.

Toilet Leaks

Anywhere from a quarter to over a third of residential toilets are leaking to some degree. These types of leaks are often difficult to detect, however there is a small trick you can try to see if you can identify a leak . Use a bright red or green food colouring and lift the porcelain lid on your toilet adding 3 – 5 drops of the food colouring to the tank (Not to the bowl). Waiting at least a half hour, check if the bowl has any pigment. If it does, then your toilet is likely leaking. If the water is still clear, than there should be no leak.

Faucet Leaks

If your faucet drips .05 mL every second (or about one drop), in a year, that’s about 1500L of water or approximately 415 gallons that is wasted. There are different types of faucets and each will need a leak fixed a specific way. If you know what type of faucet you have and you’re familiar with basic plumbing, you should be able to fix a leaking faucet yourself. However, don’t hesitate to call in the experts here at Go Green Plumbing if you have a question or aren’t sure how to proceed.

Hidden Leaks

Other leaks are harder to find and sometimes can be near impossible to detect. If you notice any changes in your water bills and know where the leak is or need assistance identifying the leak, perhaps it’s time to call in a professional. Don’t hesitate to give Go Green Plumbing a call at 289-244-9843 or e-mail us at info@gogreenplumbing.ca to set up a time for us to assist you.