Detecting water leaks early on in your home will spare you plenty of money and problems. Unfortunately, water leaks are only seen once the problem becomes severe most of the time. This often means finding traces of the leaks seeped into the home and walls.

If you're worried about water leaks, give a call to your preferred plumber to get an inspection done ahead of time. Professional plumbers have the tools, equipment, and know-how to inspect homes. They can check for potential plumbing problems and make the necessary repairs.

In addition, homeowners can also look out for signs of leaks in their houses. Here are some ways to find leaks to save you from high costs and avert water disasters.

Check your meter

One of the most apparent signs of a leak is when your water meter shows different readings. One of the best ways to ensure a water leak is to turn off all the pipes, faucets and water outlets. Make sure anything that has running water is completely shut. Then, look at your water meter. If it's still running and the meter starts to change quickly, then you probably have a fast-moving leak. For a more sophisticated approach to monitoring water usage and potential leaks, consider installing a bluebot device, which allows for real-time tracking of water consumption directly from your smartphone.

Intermittent checking

Sometimes, you could also be dealing with a slower leak. In this case, the leak isn't too bad that it's causing a significant change in the meter. You can check the meter intermittently during the day to see if the reading changes. This water leak could be anywhere after the water meter. It could also be a case of an underground leak. Keep in mind that if leaks happen in the piping after the water meter, it is the homeowner's responsibility.

Check your water consumption

It's always a good idea to check your water consumption regularly. This helps determine how much water is consumed based on the number of people living in the home. A family of four would usually consume over 12k gallons of water every month. If this figure suddenly turns erratic or goes beyond the average numbers, then there is a severe leak in your plumbing system.

Monitoring your water bill

Another common way to find a water leak is to check your water bill. Look at your past water bills and compare them. Generally, the water bill should stay within the same range every month. If your bill continues to rise, but your daily habits and water consumption have not changed, there could be a water issue.

Pipes can also run underground, which means leak detection is more complex. If your bill is running high and there's no change in the consumption habits, then calling a certified plumber to run a thorough scan of your piping is essential.

The food colour test

Did you know that toilets account for at least 30% of home water consumption? It is also one of the leading causes of a water leak, which is why it is essential to ensure that your toilets are running well. If you suspect a water leak from the toilets, you can run a food colour test. Add three drops of food colouring into the toilet water tank.

Leave it for 10 minutes, and if the water in the toilet bowl changes, there is an evident leak there. This means a leak that allows water to flow from the tank to the bowl without a flush. In many cases, a leak between the tank and bowl will usually procure the sound of water running. This means something in the toilet tank is loose and needs to be fixed.

Checking for outdoor leaks

Leaks can also happen outside the home, and often, it is harder to detect and identify compared to leaks inside the house. This is why it is vital to regularly check your exterior faucets and fixtures. Changing the rubber hose gasket is one way to stop leaks. Hiring a plumber to change the irrigation system in your garden on an annual basis also helps pinpoint any leaking problems.

Regular checks on all plumbing

Everything is bound to wear and tear. If your home is more than 25 years old, the plumbing system may be in a state of decline. As mentioned previously, indoor leaks are easier to detect since they often come with strange smells, water spots and mould. However, the leaks on the outside generally require regular checks on the plumbing system.

Catching these leaks and repairing the plumbing that causes it will ensure that you save yourself from hefty bills down the road. But if the problem is too big for a DIY job, then hiring a plumber to do the job right will save you thousands of dollars in expensive repairs.