https://epgi.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Hidden-Leaks.png 1000 667 Admin A Admin A https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/191fafa9c1ed05bb2314052489765493?s=96&d=mm&r=g September 23, 2019 August 13, 2019

Water leaks can come in different levels of severity. Some are immediately apparent and easy to fix. Others are sudden and cause disastrous flooding in your home. In many cases however, leaks are not obvious and occur without being noticed. A huge proportion of water leaks are hidden. These hidden leaks waste a lot of water over time, increasing your water bill exponentially.

Hidden leaks can occur due to degradation of pipes and fixtures over time, misuse of the plumbing system, poor construction or damage from an external source such as a tree root penetrating a water pipe.

Hidden Leaks Waste Enormous Amounts Over Time

In modern societies, we waste water on a monumental scale and we often don’t know the source of it. Minor drips and leaks in our toilets, taps and showerheads can add up to significant amounts of water over time.

Around 10 per cent of homes have hidden leaks that waste over 340 litres a day.
A leaky tap or showerhead that drips once a second wastes over 11,000 litres a year. A showerhead or tap that drips 10 times every minute wastes enough water in a year to operate a dishwasher 60 times.
Irrigation systems at 60 PSI with a 1.35mm thick leak wastes around 24,000 litres every month.
Toilets are notorious for hidden leaks and can waste over 750 litres a day when they are faulty and constantly run water. This is one of the most common causes for sudden increases in the water bill.

Sometimes hidden leaks are due to a pinhole leak or other forms of damage in the pipes. In these cases, the level of damage and associated costs can be far higher.

Signs of a Hidden Leak in the Plumbing System

There are some warning signs of hidden leaks homeowners can identify on their own. This includes unusual moisture or dampness in areas of the home. This can come in the form of wet spots in the carpet with no apparent cause or persistent growth of mould or mildew. Other signs can include damaged walls, paint or wallpaper, stains on ceilings and odd musty or earthy smells that may indicate old, accumulated water.

Using Your Water Meter to Identify Hidden Leaks

You may be able to identify a hidden leak occurring in your home by checking the water meter. This is usually near the front gate or fence. Turn off all the taps in your home except for the stop tap next to the water meter and make sure no one uses water during the testing period.

Record all the numbers displayed on the dial. Wait 10 minutes and record the numbers again. If anything has changed, it may be an indication of a leak somewhere in the system. Watch the tell-tale wheel. If it moves, you may have a leak. Repeat the test to double check and then call a plumber for assistance.

Need a Plumbing Company? Brisbane’s EPG Can Help

Suspect you have a hidden leak in your home? Get in touch with the expert plumbers at EPG today. In addition to fixing residential plumbing issues around Brisbane, we offer a range of other services: