Phoenix Plumber Tips: Water Leaks and Water Quality Inspection Tips

As the weather heats up, many people are sprucing up their yards or deep cleaning their homes. While you’re already working around the house, take some time to check for water leaks. Today’s Phoenix plumber tips can help you to locate them quickly so they can be repaired before they become costly and difficult to fix.

Each water leak you have costs you money and often wastes 10,000 gallons of water per year. Contrary to popular belief, most leaks are not very hard to find and repair. Many leaks can be detected on your own. Some leaks are hidden, and for those, Ben Franklin Plumbing (with a Phoenix Plumber office location and a Chandler Plumber office location) can help to find and fix them.

First, you want to find all the leaks that you can on your own!

Phoenix Plumber Tip 1: Use the “Visual Method”

One of the easiest ways to find a leak fast is to see it or feel it. Take time to walk around your home, both the inside and outside, look for plumbing connections or fixtures that are dripping or are moist. Be sure to look at all your water connections and irrigation systems, your pool fill and notice the ground to make sure it looks dry. Inspect your water heater and water treatment systems for moisture or dripping issues. Take time to check the areas you don’t notice very often like behind the refrigerator, the washing machine connections and under all the sinks and toilets.

Phoenix Plumber Tip 2: Use the “Listening Method”

You probably most often notice a dripping faucet or running toilet in the quiet of night when you’re trying to go to sleep. When your home is quiet, walk around inside and outside and listen closely for dripping or running water.

Phoenix Plumber Tip 3: Use the “Water Meter Method”

Beyond listening and looking, hidden leaks are best noticed by simply reading your water meter.

To do this, turn off everything around your home using water, like your water using appliances (ice maker), faucets and irrigation system. Turn off the automatic pool fill and make sure no one flushes a toilet.

Go to your water meter and watch it for about one to two minutes. If nothing is using water around your home, it should not be running at all. If the meter has a dial, it should not be spinning and if it is digital, nothing should be flashing. You might be lucky and actually have a leak indicator on your meter like these shown in the photos.

If your meter is not moving or flashing, you are fine.

If the water meter is moving or flashing, you have a water leak somewhere or something is still using water around your home.

Re-check again around the home to be sure there is nothing using water. Even a very small usage of water will make your meter run.

If you can’t find anything using water, but the meter is still running, it will take more work to find the leak.

Check your irrigation system. Be sure no valves, irrigation heads or underground pipes are leaking anywhere.

Check your toilets. Toilet flappers can wear out for many reasons with water quality as the main cause. The smallest leak can waste thousands of gallons of water a year.

Re-check your meter again. If it is still moving and you can’t find a leak anywhere, you may need to call a plumber to find the leak. The problem may be behind a wall or floor and may need a Phoenix Plumber from Ben Franklin Plumbing to come and help find the source of the leak.

Luckily, here at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, we offer free inspections throughout the greater Phoenix metro area. Make your online appointment today. With 26 years of experience in finding water leaks, we help you avoid the hassles of water damage.

Let your circles know about Ben Franklin AZ and let us know about it to save on your next repair, we appreciate every share!