Tag: leak detection

Find the Best Water Leak Detectors

Published on

best water leak detectors

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, average household leaks can account for 10,000 gallons of water lost per year. In addition, 10 percent of homes have leaks that waste up to 90 gallons per day. That’s incredibly wasteful. Which is why it’s important to detect the leaks in your home before they get worse. Normally, leaks are pretty visible, but it’s the ones that are hard to see that you need to watch out for. That’s when leak detectors come in! When it comes to purchasing these devices, it’s important to do a bit of research before you decide which type and brand you want to buy. Luckily, the pros at Leak Finders have done much of the research for you. Check out this guide on the best water leak detectors available.

DIY Leak Detection

Before we get into leak detection devices, it’s important to know some of these simple, cheap DIY leak detection methods!

  • The Food Coloring Method

This is a helpful trick if you suspect you have a toilet leak, specifically in your toilet tank. Simply put a few drops of food coloring in your tank and see if the coloring appears in your toilet bowl in a few minutes. If you quickly notice some food coloring, you might have a toilet leak.

  • Check for Wall Discoloration

If you think you have a leak in the pipe fittings behind your wall, keep an eye of any signs of discoloration on your walls or bubbling paint and wallpaper.

  • Check Your Water Meter

Turn off all water-dependent appliances in your home and all faucets. Check your water meter and mark the numbers on it. Come back in an hour and check the meter again—if you notice the numbers have changed, you might have a water leak!

Best Leak Detectors

If you’re looking for the best leak detectors, here are a few:

  • The Honeywell Wi-Fi Leak Detector

If you place this leak detector near your sink, washers, water heaters, sump pumps, it will use the sensors at the base of its unit to detect any leaks. Once it senses a leak, it can alert you through your phone. In addition, this leak detector can also detect humidity and temperature changes that could lead to frozen pipes. This detector is $79 and has a battery life of 3 years.

  • Zircon Leak Alert

You can put this device under sinks, near water heaters, in crawlspaces, near toilets and dishwashers. Once this device gets wet, it will sound an alarm thus indicating a leak right when it begins. This device is battery operated and allows for complete automatic operation. There are various version of this device—some are wi-fi connected, some come with cables. You can look through your options here to find the one best for you!

  • Flume Smart Home Water Monitor

This is another smart water detector that can easily be connected to your phone and installed without plumbing or wiring. In addition to providing leak related updates, it can also go on vacation mode and work with high efficiency and accuracy. Learn more about this leak detector here! It is slightly more expensive than the last two detectors with a price of $199.

Have more questions about the best water detectors? Call Leak Finders today at 804-767-3580 or schedule a service today.

 

How to Detect a Water Leak Underground

Published on
how to detect a water leak underground

If you’re looking for indoor house leaks, you’ll probably have an easier time finding them. Soggy walls, stains and mold build-up are some common signs that indicate there is a leak in your home. But when it comes to leaks in more hidden places, such as underground, it’s a lot harder to detect them. Don’t worry though, because the pros at Leak Finders are here to help! Here is a guide on how to detect a water leak underground.

1. Check Your Water Meter

One of the best ways to check for a hidden or underground leak in your home is to look for any drastic changes in your water meter. Your water meter can either be found in your basement or located near the curb in front of your home in a concrete box marked “water”. Before you check the meter, turn off every faucet and appliance in your home that uses water. Then, lift the lid away from the water meter box (it’s going to be heavy) and look at the meter.

 If your water meter has a small dial, that dial is meant to be a leak detector. If it’s still moving after you have turned everything off, water is flowing through the meter, meaning you have leak. If you don’t have this leak detector dial, take a pencil and mark wherever the main dial is pointing. Wait 30 minutes with the water completely off—if you notice that the needle has moved from where you marked, there is a leak somewhere.

2. Check Your Basement and Crawlspaces

If you have a basement, make a habit of checking it for stains, mold and mildew, and any pools of water. Musty smells are also an indicator of the classic underground water leak. If you notice any of these signs or maybe of combination of them, you might be dealing with a hidden underground leak—it’s best to call your plumber when you see these signs.

3. High Water Bills

If your water bill fluctuates a little bit here and there, that isn’t really cause for concern. However, if you notice a major increase in your bill over the last few months or so, there is a chance you have a hidden leak. Make sure you take care of the leak immediately as your water bill could increase exponentially!

4. Yard Sinking

If you notice wet patches in your yard or you find the ground to be sinking, you might have a pretty big underground leak. Don’t ignore it for too long as it can damage your yard and other parts of your home.

Have any more questions about how you can detect a water leak underground? Get in touch with the pros at Leak Finders! Our team of professionals will be more than happy to answer your questions and help you detect and fix any leaks in your home. Call us today at 804-767-3580 or schedule a service with us on our website!