Did you know that a pinhole-sized leak in your water system can waste thousands of gallons of water a month? Clearly, water leaks of any size should be located and repaired. But if you have detected an indoor or outdoor water leak, how can you find it? Where should you look first? Well, there are just a few places where most residential water leaks occur. So, use this information about those places to find and fix common household water leaks.

Indoor Common Household Water Leaks

Toilet Leaks

Toilet flushes can account for as much as 30% of the average household’s water usage. And unfortunately, toilet leaks are responsible for the majority of indoor water waste. To stop your toilets from flushing away more water than you want them to, check for these common causes of toilet leaks:

• Defective plunger ball (flapper valve): Though a defective plunger ball or flapper valve is often silent, it wastes a lot of water by causing the tank to drain and refill continuously. You can determine if your plunger ball (flapper valve) is worn out or improperly seated by dropping a dye-tracing tablet or a little food coloring into the toilet tank. Then, instead of flushing the toilet, wait about five minutes to see if the dye travels from the tank to the bowl. If it does, you should realign or replace the plunger ball (flapper valve)

• Float arm problems: To see if the float arm is causing the leak, you should check that the overflow pipe and plunger ball are working properly. To do so, flush the toilet, watch the tank mechanism, and listen. You should hear the water stop flowing. If the water doesn’t shut off, look at the water level. Newer toilets usually have an adjusting screw on top of the fill valve. You can turn the screw clockwise to lower the water level and counter-clockwise to raise it. Or, if your toilet has a pilot-type float, using the V-shaped clip to lower the stiff wire-like link will lower the water level.

• Tiny pinhole: The overflow pipe’s water line could have an invisible leak caused by a pinhole opening. If you shine a flashlight into the overflow pipe and see running water, you have a pinhole leak to repair.

Faucet Leaks

A dripping faucet can waste gallons of water and hundreds of dollars. So, don’t ignore it. Instead, try to close the faucet tightly. If the faucet keeps dripping, you probably need to replace the seat washer (also known as a stem washer), as it is worn out or the wrong size.

You can attempt to replace a seat washer on your own, or you can call your local trusted plumber for help.

Outdoor Common Household Water Leaks

Water Faucets

If you have an outdoor water leak, you should check all your outdoor faucets. They should be closed tightly when not in use. If one is leaking, it probably needs a new washer.

Lawn Irrigation System

If your irrigation system is leaking, you’ll see soft spots or puddles in your lawn. These spots may reveal that the ground is absorbing leaking water. Contact a plumber to resolve the issue.

Swimming Pool

The source of an outdoor leak could be a malfunctioning automatic shut-off valve in your pool system. If this valve is malfunctioning, it’s causing water to be pumped into the pool and drained out again in a continuous cycle. So, if the pool overflows while people are using it or the water level stays abnormally high, you need help with your automatic shut-off valve.

Service Connecting Line

If you hear running water outside your house or find soft, wet spots on your lawn, the service line to your house may be leaking. In this case, the leaking water is soaking into the ground and causing the soft spots. To confirm if this is the source of your leak, close the main shut-off valve. If you still hear running water, your outside service might be leaking.

Less Common Household Leaks

Other water-using appliances in your home can also leak, so you should check in on them often. Here’s how to tell if these appliances are leaking:

• Bathtubs and showers: If the spout or showerhead drips, the faucet handles may need new washers.

• Boiler: If you hear a continuous sound of running water that does not start and stop periodically, your boiler system may be leaking.

• Dishwasher: Your dishwasher may be leaking if you see water accumulating on the floor near the unit.

• Fire suppression systems: If your home has a fire suppression system, you should confirm that the sprinkler heads are tight and not leaking.

• Humidifier: If you see water puddling beneath the unit, it might be leaking. But if the overflow drains into a drainage line or sewer, you might not see any signs of a leak. In that case, you should listen for them. The continuous sound of running water may indicate that the float valve is stuck.

• Refrigerator ice-making unit: If the ice-making unit is leaking, you’ll see excessive amounts of ice in the freezer and possibly small puddles under the refrigerator as well.

• Washing machine: Water on the floor under the washing machine may signal a leak.

• Water heater tank: Water dripping down the side of the tank and collecting on the floor may reveal that the pressure release valve is stuck and the tank is leaking as a result.

• Water softener: If you hear water constantly running near your water softener, it may not be recycling properly and is wasting water.

The Cure for Common Household Water Leaks

These common household water leaks may be the source of your leak, or they may not. If you see the signs, you can call Hatz Plumbing and tell us what kind of repair you need. But if you don’t see the signs, you can call us to help you both locate and fix the leak. Along with offering faucet, toilet, shower, water heater, and sewer services, we also service all water-using appliances. There’s no leak that Hatz can’t fix. So, contact us about your leak today!