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Check for Summer Plumbing Leaks

6/22/2018

When the weather warms up in Washington, MI, and the surrounding areas, it’s a good time to check for leaks. Unfortunately, the winter months can wreak havoc on pipes and plumbing features, and some of the damage brought on by cold weather is invisible unless you know what to look for. However, by following a few easy tips, you can quickly determine if you have a hidden leak. Then, if you suspect that a leak is costing you money through wasted water, call Aaron Swift for the best and most reliable plumbing repair.

How to Detect the Most Common Types of Leaks

Here is the best and easiest way to check for a leak in residential plumbing. Pick a time when everyone in the home agrees to not use water for at least 15 minutes – an hour or two is even better. Then, check your water meter and jot down the numbers you see. Check the water meter again in 15 minutes, an hour, or two hours to see if the numbers have gone down. If they have, it’s likely that you have a leak somewhere in or around your home. But where? Here are a few simple ways to find out.

Check your faucets and sinks.

Often, you can hear your faucet go drip, drip, drip, and it’s obvious that you have a leak. You can also look for water droplets in the sink that appear even when no one has used the faucet. Next, check the floor around the sink and toilet for condensation or puddles of water.

Add a little color to your toilet tank.

Put a few drops of food coloring in your toilet tank, then wait about 30 minutes. If you open the lid and see that the food coloring has migrated to the toilet bowl without flushing, it is highly likely that your toilet has at least a small leak.

Examine the caulking around your bathtub.

If the caulking around the tub looks compromised in any way, you may be at risk for a leak. Or, if you see damaged caulking and water droplets or puddles, there’s a good chance that you already have a leak. When inspecting for bathtub leaks, it’s also a good idea to look for water or water damage in your basement or the floor immediately below the tub in question.

Check your water heater.

If you know you have a leak somewhere in the house, but everything else seems fine, you’ll likely find that your water heater is the culprit. Look for small pools around the tank or extra heavy condensation along the sides. Or, if you have any doubts, let a master plumber from Aaron Swift check your water heater for you. If you catch a leak early on, you may be able to repair it without replacing the entire water heater.

Call Aaron Swift for All of Your Commercial Plumbing and Residential Plumbing Needs

Whenever you’re looking for “a plumber near me,” call Aaron Swift for the best plumbing services Washington Michigan. We offer affordable plumbing services on both installation and repair, and we also provide 7-day emergency plumbing service. Give us a call at (586) 752-5808 or reach out to us through the contact form on our website.