When it comes to leaks, most homeowners employ an out-of-sight, out-of-mind mentality. Some don’t even bother to fix the leaks they do see! But that’s a dangerous risk to take. Leaks always start out small, then morph into a plumbing disaster when left neglected. To be sure your home is leak-free, check these spots where leaks could be hiding. Then, call a Magnolia plumber for the best water leak detection services in the Arlington area.
Bathtub
- SHOWER/BATHTUB: For the most part, your only contact with the bathtub is when you actually use it to shower. You can’t tell if there’s a leak when everything is already wet, though. That’s why you have to wait until it’s dry to check the shower head/faucet for leaks and the floor surrounding the tub for puddles.
- TOILET: Your toilet could be leaking right under your nose and you would never know it. To check if your toilet is leaking, add some food coloring to the water in your tank and let it sit for 15-20 min. Don’t let anyone use the toilet during this time! Look in the toilet bowl when you’re done waiting; if the water in the bowl is the same color as the dye, you have a silent leak you need to fix.
Kitchen
- GARBAGE DISPOSAL: Your garbage disposal is hidden in the cabinet under your sink, where you probably rarely venture. Now’s the time to go exploring. Check the connection between your garbage disposal and the sink drain, as well as the location where your garbage disposal meets the dishwasher hose. Ill-fitting seals are the most common cause of a leak. However, the unit itself can develop cracks and start leaking. Wipe it dry and wait to see if any liquids start escaping.
- DISHWASHER: Just because your dishwasher isn’t creating puddles on the floor while it’s in use doesn’t mean it’s not leaking. The leak could be hiding under your kitchen sink, where the dishwasher connects to the garbage disposal. Check the hose and its connections to either appliance thoroughly for moisture.
- REFRIGERATOR: Even your refrigerator is prone to leaks, but only if it’s connected to the water supply line to quickly dispense water and ice. The hard part about checking your refrigerator for leaks is that you’ll have to find a way to get behind the unit, where the connection to the water supply line is located. If you have a refrigerator leak, you’ll most likely find puddles of water on the floor and a water-damaged wall.
Have you found a culprit you need repaired? Detecting leaks in plumbing systems throughout Arlington, VA, is what we do best! Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
