Water leaks in homes contribute to an immense waste of water every year. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program, the annual household leaks in the U.S. add up to 1 trillion gallons each year. That’s equal to the water used in more than 11 million homes. One house alone can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted each year.

And these are only leaks from dripping faucets: these are the many hidden leaks that can be secretly allowing water out of pipes around the plumbing system. In fact, 10% of homes have water leaks that waste 90 gallons or more a day. It’s simple to have visible leaks fixed, but what about those hidden ones? That’s where you need professional water leak detection services in Durham, NC.

But how do I know I need leak detection in the first place?

This is a good question. If you can’t see the leaks, how do you know to call a plumber to look for them?

One answer is that you should have water leak detection done as a preventive service every few years. If you’ve already lived in your house for at least five years, it’s wise to have plumbers make checks for leaks. Considering that 10% of homes currently have these problems, it’s wise to have professionals make certain. If they do find leaks, you’ll be able to have them fixed before they can inflict extensive damage on the house or waste too much water.

But there are also warnings signs to watch for that will tell you there may be water leaking somewhere out of your sight. Here are some of the indications of hidden leaks:

• Increased water usage: We recommend you keep an eye on your water bills each month to see how many gallons you’re using. If it starts to rise without any explanation, you probably have leaks somewhere. A family of four using more than 12,000 per month has significant leaking problems.
• Discoloration on walls or the ceiling: Reddish-brown spots of discoloration appearing on the drywall in your home often indicates leaks are occurring right behind it. Never ignore this discoloration, especially if appearing on the ceiling.
• Warped floorboards: Water starting to leak from under the floor will lead to warping in the floorboards and doors that have a hard time closing.
• Mold and mildew growth: If your home has never experienced issues with mold and mildew before, their sudden growth in spots of the house might mean water leaking out of sight.

If you have doubts about whether there are leaks in your plumbing system, there’s a test you can make. Check on the water meter for your house and write down the reading. Then shut off all water use for a two-hour period. (We recommend a time when no one is home.) Re-check the meter. If the reading has increased, there are leaks somewhere.

You can count on our plumbers when you need the best in leak detection service. We’ll find the problem and have the leaks fixed.

Bud Matthews Services—For All Your Home Service Needs in Durham!