If you see a dripping tap chances are you put off fixing it until you have more time. While it might not seem like much at first glance, even a slow drip will be wasting litres of water every hour.

Don’t put leaks off. Fixing them promptly not only saves you money on your water bills but it reduces the risk of long-term or more extensive damage that might be occurring behind the walls or underground.

While not all leaks are visible there are a number of ways you can detect leaks in your home and limit the damage. This blog will take you through what to look out for and where to go for help.

How to Find Water Leaks

As well as keeping an eye out for dripping faucets, pools of water in your bathroom and water stains, these are some other clues you can hone in on to see if you have a leak:

1. Look for visual clues

2. Pay attention to your water bills

3. Conduct a water metre test

4. Listen for running water or trickling sounds

5. Feel walls and floors for dampness

6. Treat bad smells or stale, musty smells as early warning signs

7. Pay attention to warm flooring areas if your home is built on a concrete slab

These signs might not point to exactly where a leak is forming, this just might be where the water is exiting, so it will take some work to locate the source, keeping in mind there may be more than one leak causing issues in a similar location.

Search for a leak without a water metre

It’s a good idea to check your taps and toilets regularly for signs or sounds of leaks. Make sure you take action straight away if you notice a leak. It’s a good idea to change all your washers at the same time if one is worn or failed as others usually aren’t far behind.

Outside you can disconnect your hoses or irrigation pipes from garden taps to see if there are any leaks. These can be easily overlooked when constantly plugged in. You can also see underground leaks by unexplained puddles or greener patches that are getting more water.

Some leaks are not so easy to find and not so fast and cheap to repair, such as sewage leaks. With sewage issues, the usual cause is invading tree roots or leaking joints. You’ll need a qualified plumber to investigate the pipe damage using special equipment.

Search for a leak using your water metre

Your water metre is the best way to look for hidden leaks. If all is well the metre will stop when all everything is turned off. If it keeps making readings there is probably a hidden leak, or it could be that your metre is faulty.

To run a test using your water metre turn off everything that uses water in your home as well as outside in your garden.

Water metres are typically located at the front of your property. Write down the number showing on the dials. Leave everything off and check the number again in an hour. If the numbers have increased, you’ll need to call a qualified plumber for help. How much water has been used in the hour will also indicate how big your water leak is. Most metres also have an instant gauge that tells you if water is running by spinning. If no water is being used this small dial is still.

How to Fix a Leak

Unless your leak is caused by a dripping tap you won't be able to handle it yourself. Changing a washer or garden hose connection is simple enough but for more severe leaks you will need to call a plumber. Keep in mind the leak you see might not be the only part of your pipes or fittings that are causing problems, other issues may be at work deeper inside that need professional attention.

If you have done everything else and still can’t find a leak a professional plumber can help locate the problem and fix the leak for good.