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Plumbing leaks are a common problem that can cause severe damage to homes. To prevent damage and the costly repair bills that can come from leaks, homeowners should know the signs of a leak and how to check for them.

This article will explain eight simple and standard methods for identifying plumbing leaks in your home.

Check For Plumbing Leaks

1. Listen For Dripping Water

Put your ear near the toilet, sink, or bathtub faucet. If there is a leak, you may hear a sound as the water travels through the pipes. Listening for a sound enables leak detection even if there are no visual clues. For example, you may hear the sound of a continuous water drip, which will indicate a leak in the plumbing system.

2. Look For a Decrease in Water Pressure

If you notice a decrease in water pressure, this poses a reason for concern, whereas a potential plumbing leak needs to be addressed. A professional plumber should be contacted quickly to determine the cause of your water losing pressure. The decrease in water pressure does not always represent a leak, but it’s crucial to get a thorough inspection.

3. Check for Signs of Moisture

To avoid costly plumbing damage, homeowners should always lookout for signs of moisture. One sign may be black mold accumulating on the wall or ceiling. Moisture results from water buildup, whereas water buildup can occur due to a leaking pipe.

4. Do You See Puddles of Water

The most obvious sign of a leak is water accumulating on your kitchen or bathroom floor for no apparent reason.

5. Is There Rust or Corrosion at Base of The Sink or Toilet? 

When there is rust and corrosion, there is moisture. Moisture evolves when there is water. And the excess water may be due to a leaking plumbing pipe.

6. Food Coloring a Toilet Bowl Trick

A simple toilet bowl trick to detect a plumbing leak; open the toilet tank lid and add a few drops of food coloring. Do not use the toilet or flush for an hour or two. After, check the water in the toilet bowl. If the food coloring has seeped into the toilet bowl, you have a leak and professional help will be needed.

7. Leak Detection in Gas Pipes

Whether your home plumbing pipes transport propane, natural gas or refrigerant, a gas leak can present a serious problem, resulting in explosions and fire. Refrigerant leaks pose an environmental hazard.

Applying a solution of soap and water with the proper viscosity that enables bubbles to form will detect where the leak is. Below is a soap and water recipe that can do the trick.

  • Grab a quart jar and will with clean water.
  • Add three tablespoons of dish detergent.
  • Add two teaspoons of liquid glycerin, which will make the bubbles last longer. This enables easier leak detection.
  • Leave in an open container and let the solution sit overnight to produce more significant bubbles.

When dealing with gas, propane and refrigerant, it is highly recommended to call a professional to check for leaks.

8. Hire a Professional To Check For Plumbing Leaks

Today, leaks are a common occurrence that can lead to costly repairs. Therefore, homeowners must know the signs of a leak and what to look for. Plumbing leaks can cause significant damage to your home and can be quite costly to fix.

Contact an experienced plumber as soon as possible to stop the leak from getting worse, leading to a potentially devastating outcome and costly repair.

To check for plumbing leaks, please feel free to contact All A’s Plumbing and Heating a highly rated Northern New Jersey plumber.