A water leak is not easy to find. If the water is coming out of a tap or you find water under the sink, it is easy to find out that is there is a problem. But if the pipe is inside the wall or under the floor in that case you may not be able to find any signs of the water leakage.
A water leak in a house can happen for different reasons and old pipes can also become a problem after some time. You will not always see water on the floor to understand that something is wrong.
Check Your Water Bill
If you notice that your water bill has increased suddenly and you didn’t change anything in your routine then you should check the water leakage. A leaking pipe can increase the wastage of water without you noticing it. You should start by checking the taps, toilets and pipes. If everything still looks normal it could be because of Hidden water leak.
Look at Your Walls and Ceilings
Any random patch of water on your wall or ceiling of the house could be a sign of water leakage, You may also notice that one part of the wall feels damp. This could happen when a pipe behind the wall is leaking. Don’t ignore it if it happens repeatedly or it increases; just simply get the pipe checked.
Strange Smell Around the House
Wet walls can give you a strange smell and you can notice that something is not right. You may see it around the bathroom, kitchen or any other area of the house where pipes are present. There are also chances of bad smell if there is any water leakage issues.
Mould That Keeps Coming Back
Mould can happen in many Australian homes, especially in areas with a lot of moisture. But if you keep cleaning mould from the same spot and it comes back, there could be moisture behind the wall.
This is one of the signs of water leak that people can easily miss. The leak may be small, so there may not be any water dripping down the wall.
Listen for Running Water
Sometimes before even seeing the water leak, you could hear it. If all the appliances are off and you still hear some water sound that could be the sign of water leak. You should start by checking the toilets, bathroom, kitchen and other areas of the house. If the toilet is still making any noice than the leakage could be in pipes and you would need a plumber to solve the issue.
Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure can happen for different reasons. Sometimes the problem is only with one tap or shower. But if you see weak pressure from the taps around the house, there may be an issue with the pipework. Before the actual leak the pressure could be low and that is the sign that you should not ignore.
Check Your Floors
It is difficult to notice the leakage under the floor, rest of the areas could still be noticed. There would be signs that you should not ignore like you will see wooden floors changing colours, swell or become damaged whenever they are exposed to water. If you notice unusual marks or patches then it is the pipe leak under the floor.
Check the Toilet
Your toilet can show some signs of the water leak or water blockage, if you flush it and you hear any weird noises and the water stay stills more than usual it coulde be the sign. It might not seem serious at first but it could be a problem that should not be ignored.
How to Check for a Leak
You can do a basic check yourself using your water meter. Check that all the taps are turned off and no one is using any tap or water appliances in the house. Look at the water meter and then check it after sometime. If it has moved even though no water has been used, there could be a leak.
This will not tell you exactly where the leak is. It only shows that water is being used somewhere. For proper water leak detection in Australia, you may need a plumber to find the actual source.
Do Not Ignore Small Changes
A hidden water leak can start with small signs, like higher water bill, a damp wall, or sound of the running water. These are the signs that you should not ignore, these are the signs of leakage issue and plumbing problem. Finding out these problems can help you save water and prevent any damage in the future.
FAQs
How can I check for a water leak at home?
Turn off all the taps and water-using appliances and check your water meter. If the meter is still moving, there may be a leak somewhere in your home.
Should I fix a small leak straight away?
Small leaks may not look serious, but leaving it for long time can definitely cause problem and damage. It is better to find and fix the small leak to save time and money.