How do I check my home for hidden water leaks?
Start with the water meter: shut off every fixture in the house (and make sure the sprinklers, ice maker and washer aren't running), write down the meter reading, wait 30 to 60 minutes without using water, and check it again. If the dial moved, you have a leak. Then check inside cabinets under every sink, the base of every toilet, around the water heater, and the slab for warm or damp spots. A high bill with no visible water usually means a hidden leak.
How do I check each room for hidden water leaks?
Bathrooms:
- Toilet: dye test (food coloring in the tank, wait 30 min without flushing, check the bowl; color in the bowl means the flapper is leaking).
- Under sink: open cabinet, look for water stains, mildew, warped wood.
- Tub/shower: check caulk lines, look for soft spots in flooring nearby.
- Behind toilet: floor discoloration points to the wax ring or the supply line.
Kitchen:
- Under sink: garbage disposal, supply lines, drain trap, dishwasher hookup.
- Refrigerator water/ice line: pull fridge out and check.
- Dishwasher: water showing during a cycle points to a pump or door seal problem.
Laundry:
- Washer hoses: check for bulges and cracks, and replace them every 5 years regardless of condition.
- Drain hose: make sure it is secure in the standpipe.
Water heater:
- Floor around the base: any moisture is a problem.
- T&P relief valve: any drip is a warning, not normal. Occasional drips usually mean thermal expansion or high water pressure (thermal expansion is fixed with an expansion tank, with its air charge set to match your house water pressure before it goes in); a steady drip can mean a bad valve. Either way, call or text us.
- Drip pan: should be dry.
Outside:
- Sprinkler valves and lines: soggy spots, or a valve that weeps when the system is off.
- Hose bibs: drips at the spout or around the handle.
- Pool or fountain auto-fill: a fill valve that never shuts off.
Found something, or the meter still moves with everything off? Call (909) 312-4516 or text (909) 247-6791. Sweetwater finds hidden leaks, including slab leaks, and fixes them.
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