Avoid potentially thousands of dollars in damage to your home by being aware of how to spot a water leak and when to call for help. A leak that is not addressed immediately can become a very costly repair, which is why professional leak detection pays for itself. This is particularly true in Lakeland, Plant City, and Winter Haven, where high humidity favors mold growth and a slow leak turns into water damage restoration work.
Most household water leaks start at a plumbing connection or a major appliance, and most of them could have been caught early. Knowing the signs that you may have a water leak is what buys you that time.
Follow these five tips to detect your home leaks early.
1. Water Leak Detection System
Install a water leak detection system in your house, that will help you monitor and find leaks before they do major damage to your home. Water leak detection systems are designed to shut off the water supply when a leak is detected. This minimizes damage and alerts you to the problem. From there you can call True Plumbers & AC, and if the leak is under the slab we locate it with slab leak detection equipment instead of opening your floor at random. Our guide to detecting a water leak without destroying your home explains how that works.
2. Appliance Lines
A few times a year, make a point to check the lines to all the major appliances (clothes washer, dishwasher, refrigerator, etc.) in your home. A red flag should go up if your appliance lines have:
- Wetness
- Bulging hoses
- Deterioration
Any of these situations can point to a leak somewhere in your home.
3. Check Air Conditioning
Make sure your indoor air conditioning unit and drain pipes are functioning properly, by scheduling yearly AC maintenance with a professional. A clogged condensate line is one of the most common hidden water sources in a Florida home, and a whole home dehumidifier takes some of that load off the system. Being fully aware of the condition that your appliances and systems are in, not only keeps everything operating correctly, but will minimize the possibility of a leak going undetected.
4. Check the Water Heater
An obvious sign of your water heater having a leak is finding water collecting around the base of it, which usually means the tank needs water heater repair or replacement. Also, take a close look at any pipes or hoses feeding into your water heater and make sure all connections are not leaking.
5. Look in Spaces Where Water is Used
It is important to check in areas where water-consuming appliances are housed, to make sure no leaks have sprung. Important areas to check in your home include:
- Bathroom and toilet area
- Kitchen, including the sink and faucet connections
- Laundry room
- Garage
A great way to check for leaks is to keep an eye on your water meter. Water leaks only worsen over time and this will probably make itself more obvious through your increased water bill. Early detection and repair will help to prevent further damage to your property, and our step by step guide to what to do after a water leak covers the first hour. If the leak is already spraying, that is an emergency plumbing call, not a weekend project. If you are in the Lakeland, Plant City, or Winter Haven area, call True Plumbers & AC at (863) 667-6364 to find the leak and repair the damage it caused. You can also read how leak detection services help homeowners before you book.
