locating home plumbing leaks

Locating, Identifying and Mitigating Home Plumbing Leaks, Part 2

In part one of this two-part blog, we discussed some of the risks of unaddressed leaks in your home’s plumbing system, plus how you can identify these. Homeowners are often shocked at the money they can save by simply repairing such leaks in a timely manner, and that’s without considering the benefits of avoiding water damage or other possible concerns.

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical, our plumbers are happy to assist you with identifying, locating and dealing with any leaks that pop up within your system. What are some of the common areas where these leaks may originate from? Here’s a look at a few potential sources.

Toilet Flappers or Overflow

All toilets have what’s called a flapper, a large rubber plug at the bottom behind the bowl meant to assist with basic flushing – but one that is often the source of leaks. In many cases this is obvious just based on noise: A steady tripping sound coming from the toilet almost always means the flapper is the cause. To be sure, use a toilet dye pill or a small quantity of food coloring dropped into the tank, then wait about 30 minutes to see if the color makes its way into the bowl on its own. If so, the flapper is the leak cause.

Another possible toilet issue is when water in the tank is leaking over top of the overflow pipe. This usually means a device called the ballcock valve needs to be adjusted, something our plumbers are happy to help with if you’re unsure of how to do it.

Outdoor Concerns

In other cases, leaks stem from outdoor hose bibs or faucets. This is often due to freezing temperatures that expand water and cause issues, though it could also be because of leaking sprinklers or related concerns. If you notice soft or wet spots on your lawn, for instance, this often means either your sprinkler or a water service line is leaking and will require repair.

Sinks and Washers

Faucets dripping may also be the culprit here, a simpler issue that you can usually identify pretty easily. In many cases, this is due to a washer that either doesn’t fit or has worn down over time. Simple replacements here usually do the trick.

Hot Water Tank

If none of these other areas are the source of your leak, check the hot water tank likely located in your basement. If water is dripping down the side of the tank, this often means the pressure valve isn’t working and requires repair.

Other Home Appliances

A few other home appliance areas that might leak if they’re defective or being used incorrectly:

  • Ice machine
  • Washing machine
  • Dishwasher

Check each of these to ensure their connections and components are working properly.

For more on the possible sources of leaks in your home, or to learn about any of our plumbing or HVAC services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical today.