Do It Yourself Leak Locating Tips For Yout Home:

Here is a list of simple steps that you can use to detect a leak in your home.

To check for toilet leaks:

• Place a dye tablet, food coloring, milk, or any other coloring into a tank full of water. Wait for a few minutes (or overnight) and see if the coloring seeps down into the bowl area. If it does, you will need to repair or replace the flapper valve.
• If you have a two piece toilet (seperate tank & bowl), take toilet paper and work it into the open area between the tank and the bowl and check for water prior to and after flushing. If it is dry prior to flushing, recheck again after flushing. If it is wet, thils will denote a leak during the flush cycle.
• Check the seal around the bottom of the toilet (wax ring) to ensure that the water is not leaking at the seal.
• Check the incoming water lines for wetness.

Faucet leaks:

• Turn on all faucets, one by one, and while the water is running, move the faucet handle back and forth. Look for water leakage around the valve stem and faucet spout.
• When checking the faucets, be sure to look at the drain piping for leaks as water flows through the drainpipes.
• Check incoming water lines for signs of leakage.

Dishwashers:

• Be sure to run the dishwasher and garbage disposal and check for any visible leaks during usage.

General:

• Look at walls where water pipes stick out. Look for discoloration, moisture and sponginess.
• Hopefully the water heater is equipped with a safety relief valve (temperature/pressure valve). Be sure to check the exit end of the valve or valve piping for leaks or drips. If the valve is equipped with a hand operated check lever, flush the valve ONLY if it is piped to a safe area that will not run water onto floors or walls. The valve should not leak; if it does, replace it.

Check for concealed water leaks:

• Check all faucets inside and outside of your home to make sure they are all off. Go to your water meter and mark the dial with a crayon or take a meter reading. With everything kept off, recheck the meter in one hour. If the meter dials move, you probably have some type of leak. Some meters are equipped with a "flow indicator" in the face of the meter. This is usually a triangle in red or black, this will be spinning if water is going through the meter.
• Again, with all faucets off, take a large regular screwdriver (10" or longer) and firmly place it on the hot or cold side of any faucet. Place your ear on the plastic handle and listen for any water noise. You can repeat this test on all exposed pipes, fittings, valves, and faucets. This brief test will help you hear the sound of moving water if you have a leak.
• Be sure to check all hoses connected to washing machines and also outside the home.
• If your home has a basement, check all exposed pipes for wetness.
• When you are gone from your home on vacation or a long weekend, you shuld shut off all your water before it enters the house so you won't come home to a well watered house from a pipe or fixture break.
• Check your yard periodically for wetness. Your water line from the meter to the house could also leak.

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