How to Identify Plumbing Leaks Behind Walls Without Demolishing Your Home

There are many ways to detect plumbing leaks in your home without totally destroying your home in the process. In today’s blog article, we are going to discuss some of the easier ways better suited to a homeowner without a lot of plumbing experience. 

Indicators 

The first thing to do is look for indicators that you may have a leak. These are things like the following: 

• Discoloured paint
• Discoloured brick or stone
• Musty smells
• Ceiling or wall paint that is cracked or peeling or alligatoring
• Damp spots on the floor 

Indicators help you to narrow your search area. 

Water Meter Test 

Turn off all the water in your house except the main water valve entering the house and then read your water meter. Go back an hour or two later and see if the water meter shows any more water that has been used. If so, you have a leak somewhere. 

Dye Test 

Put some dye in the back of a toilet tank. Do not flush. Wait an hour and then see if any of the dye has leaked into the toilet bowl. If so, the flapper is leaking. 

Moisture Meter 

Moisture meters are relatively inexpensive, and you can buy one at any big-box, fix-it store. They have a probe that you can touch walls with, and the probe will identify if there is moisture behind the drywall. 

Keep in mind that if you are not confident in what you are doing, then let professionals (like us) detect leaks for you. Professionals will do it better and faster than you will, and they will have sophisticated tools that you do not. 

604FixLeak offers leak detection, plumbing repairs and restoration services in the Greater Vancouver area. 

If you have any questions about this article or need some help with a leak in your home or office, call us today at (604) 349-5325.