Finding hidden leaks
A hidden leak gives itself away through a few small things, and each is easy to miss: a noise you put down to the neighbours, a meter nobody looks at, a stain you assume is old. The sooner you recognise the signal, the cheaper the repair.
How to find hidden leaks in your home
Tracing hidden leaks can be extremely difficult, but it is necessary to act quickly to avoid the damage they cause. If you notice a leak you cannot deal with yourself, ProKanal EOOD will help with a professional leak detection service.
Here are some signs and symptoms that tell you there is a hidden leak:
- You hear a continuous sound of running water when nothing is switched on.
- Your meter turns when you are not using water. Mark the indicator, use no water for a few hours, then check it. If the indicator has moved, you probably have a leak on the supply.
- Your walls or floors have wet, dense, damp or discoloured areas where nothing has been spilt.
- You notice unpleasant smells coming from floors or walls near drains or waste pipes.
There are steps homeowners can take to identify potential hidden leaks on the plumbing, but the most common leaks occur at branches, isolating valves, supply connections and waste joints.
Finding leaks in kitchens and bathrooms
Open the cupboard doors under the sink and look inside with a torch for damp. Leaks under a sink, in the kitchen or the bathroom, can go unnoticed for a long time, because they are usually at the back of the cupboard, hidden behind boxes and bottles.
Before you notice them, these leaks can damage the units, the flooring, and even the walls and ceilings of the people below. Empty the cupboard and check the fittings and isolating valves for corrosion, the base and the back for wet patches, damp, mould or mildew, and the floor or backboard for distortion.
Do not rely on your fingers to find small leaks. Wipe each connection with a dry cloth or kitchen paper and check for a wet mark.
Signs of a hidden leak:
- Damp, wet patches, pooling or a bad smell inside the cupboard.
- Stains on the floor and on the wall adjoining the room.
- Damaged floor covering in front of the sink.
- A loose mixer.
- A mixer that does not shut off properly.
How to find the source of the leak
Dry the trap and every connection with a cloth or kitchen paper. Fill the sink, then check all the connections from the sink to the wall as it drains.
Run the dishwasher and check underneath it for leaks; look over the supply and drain hose connections. Run the washing machine and do the same.
If you have a laminate worktop, check the underside around the sink with a torch, and look for swollen areas or other signs of water damage.
How to put the leak right
If the problem is at a hose connection or a flexible supply, tighten the nuts. If the leak does not stop, replace the seals. If it still does not stop, replace the hoses.
For a leak at an isolating valve, first try tightening the compression nut. If that does not stop it, take the fitting apart, wrap PTFE tape and remake the joint. If it persists, replace the valve or its tail.
For a leak at the sink trap, first tighten the cap. If that does not work, dismantle the trap and inspect and replace the seals.
For a leak at the sink strainer, tighten the nut beneath it. If it continues, remove the strainer and replace the seal under it.
Two slow leaks that end in disaster
If you notice pooling near the water heater, check the safety valve and the connections to and from it. If any of them drips, replace the valve or the connections. If not, the cylinder itself is leaking and you need a new one. Do not put it off: cylinders often start leaking slowly and fail suddenly days or a week later, causing a serious flood. The same applies to the hoses feeding washing machines and dishwashers.
If you notice small leaks in the hose itself or at the crimped metal fittings at its ends, replace the hose. Otherwise it can burst and cause major damage.
ProKanal EOOD is a specialist leak detection firm and your reliable partner on the way to peace of mind.
Do not hesitate — get in touch.