Anyone can spot a dripping faucet or a leaking toilet bowl, just to name two obvious water leaks that tend to stare you square in the face.

But how about those that aren’t so easy to pin down until damage occurs and puts you in a bit of a pickle? Do you know where and what to look for?

Here’s a household guide to leak detection to help you avoid messy and expensive repair issues:

Bathroom Water Leaks

• Showers and Bathtubs:Remove and replace deteriorated or cracked caulk and grout. Water from a broken supply pipe behind the wall can leak through damaged sealants, causing stains or soft areas around nearby walls and floors.
• Sinks:Look inside under-sink cabinets – especially those you don’t frequently access – for leaks from water supply lines and drainpipes.
• Toilets:If you suspect a leaking toilet tank, here’s how to tell. Pour a drop of food coloring in the tank and then check the bowl 15-30 minutes later.  If the bowl water is tainted, the tank has at least a hairline crack.

Kitchen Water Leaks

• Dishwasher:Periodically look around the base of your  dishwasher for evidence of leaks, such as discolored, warped, or soft flooring materials, or water damage to nearby cabinets.
• Refrigerator:If your refrigerator has an icemaker, make sure the hose connection is securely attached to the water supply line. Also, a wet spot on the floor may be a sign of a crimped icemaker line about to burst.
• Sink:Clear out the under-sink cabinet for signs of a leak that you wouldn’t normally notice.  Water stains, dampness, mold or mildew, and buckled material are all common indicators.

Household Water Leaks

You may have a water leak if you notice an of the following:

• Continuous sound of water (like a toilet running) when nothing is turned on.
• Abnormally-high water bill
• Your water meter reading changes when no water is being used
• Your walls or floors have wet, spongy, moist or discolored areas when nothing has been spilled.
• Foul odors emanating from floors or walls near drains
• Warm spots on your floor, particularly on concrete slab floors.

The fastest way to put a temporary halt to a leak is to turn off the water supply valve. Next, contact PC Plumbing Heating, AC & Remodeling for the professional assistance you need to repair the link and assess any damage that it might have caused. We’re always glad to help.