How to Check for – and Deal with – a Leak in Your Home or Property

Most of the time, we are not even aware that we have a leak in our home or property, as it is often a minor one which is not entirely noticeable and does not even add much to our utility bill. But over time, a minor leak can worsen, and this is where the problem can really become a substantial repair and expense.

If you are concerned that you may have a leak in your home or property, there are steps you can take to check for it on your own. You can even deal with minor leaks and prevent them from becoming worse, as long as you have certain knowledge on how to do it properly.

Checking for leaks: what you should do

If your property is on a meter, a utility bill that is higher than usual can signify a leak in any one of your appliances or pipes. But for you to be sure, you should first turn off the taps in your property. Afterwards, you should make a note of your meter reading, and do not use water after reading your meter. After several hours with no water used, you should take a second meter reading. If the second meter reading is higher than the first one even with no water used in your property during that time, then it signifies a definite leak.

If your property does not rely on a meter, however, there is a different way of checking for leaks. First, you should inspect the property for areas which have plants or shrubs which look too lush, or ground which looks wet even if it has not rained – this could be signs of a leak. If there is an area on your property which has less vegetation, this could also point to long-term leakage. You can also check for damp spots or patches in your property’s interiors, or listen for a continuous noise of water that is flowing anywhere in your property.

What to do if you have a leak in your property

Once you have checked for leaks and have determined that your leak is coming from an exterior supply pipe, you can try contacting your local supplier of water for repairs. If the leak is within your home or property, then you should enlist the services of a reliable plumber. Plumbers in London like those from BBS Plumbing Heating Service provide a readily available, professional, and fully-licensed service.

But upon finding out that you have a leak in your property, you can already take certain steps whilst waiting for professional assistance. For one, you should turn off the stop valves or stop taps in your property. These stop valves are responsible for controlling the flow of water to your home, and are often found underneath your kitchen sink. If you cannot find them there, you should check the point where water enters your property. You may also be able to find an extra stop valve in your property’s cupboards or loft. An important tip: if the stop valve or tap does not want to turn, you should not force it. Leave it as is and just wait for the plumber to deal with it.

The next step once you have found a leak and turned off your stop taps or valves is to turn on your taps for cold water, so the storage system and pipe work will be drained. This, in turn, reduces the risk of water damage. Make sure to turn on only the cold taps and not the hot taps. Afterwards, you can turn off your central or main heating system. If you are using an electric heater, turn it off as well.
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