A leak could seem like the most natural thing to be taken for granted. Even though there might be tons of different types of leaks, ranging from gas leaks to oil leaks, this article is only in reference to water leaks. A water leak can take place at any portion or section of your house. It’s often hard to locate a water leak unless you see water flowing on the floor with no idea of its point of origin. There several different types of water leaks, categorized based on their point of origin. These leaks can range from costing you hundreds of dollars to costing you, maybe a few bucks. Even then, it is always preferable to locate a leak as soon as possible, so always keep your eyes out.
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| Leak Repairs |
Water leaks are known to be the most common household malfunctions, other than a squeaky door. There can pipe leaks, toilet leaks, and plumbing leaks, those are the usual. At times there will also be unexpected leaks like a refrigerator leak. The timing for a leak may never at your convenience, so it’s best to always expect it. Imagine if there was a leak while you’re away for the weekend. The greatest consequence of any leak is, of course, the loss of water. Gallons of water are lost each year from households due to undetectable leaks, so it’s recommended to have regular checks and leak repairs around the house.
Types of Leaks and What You Can Do:
According to research 2k to 20k gallons are lost each year due to loss through leaks. Obvious signs of leakage would be dripping, thin strips of water flowing on the walls or eve tiny sprinklers. Few of these common leaks are mentioned as follows:
1. Meter Checks: When there is a significant amount of unaccounted water loss, you can simply check your water meter to note the difference. When doing so, you need to make sure that all ports of water use are completely turned off, both inside as well as outside. You will need to check if any appliance that is meant to automatically supply water like washing machines, irrigation sprayers or dishwasher, is completely turned off. When you get to the water meter, note down the reading and wait 15 min. After the time has passed check the reading again, if there has been a decline in the tank then it is sure to be leakage.
2. Supply Line Leaks: The supply of water to your home is usually buried at least 3 feet below the service. Any leakage from here is undetected by the water meter and is usually unnoticed. You will need to ensure that the water in the meter box is not resupplied by the pipes of the house. If it is, then there is a possibility of a leak. Another common point of origin for supply leaks would be where the pipe rises above the ground and enters the house. An easy way to detect this would be to observe if the soil around the location is damp. If there is a bigger leak, the water would rise up from the ground. Any leak taking place between the meter and the house is the home owner’s responsibility, but beyond the meter is where the water utility takes over for any required leak repairs.
3. Toilet Leaks: The infamous toilet leak at home can never go unnoticed for too long. Usually, the leaks are minor but in case of larger leaks, you can notice hissing sounds or water sprinkling. There may also be gurgling sound especially when the toilet is not in use.
4. Cooler Leaks: Evaporative coolers usually evaporate water which mixes with the air and hence ventilates the house. These coolers are usually connected to the water tank. Often the refill valve of the cooler could fail to completely close leading to leaks. This can be detected if the cooler is turned off and you notice water draining from the overflow pipes. In such cases, you can carry out easy leak repairs by simply replacing the valve, circulation pump or any of the respective water lines.
These are a few common leak repairs that you detect and repair quite easily.