It isn’t common enough for homeowners to maintain or check up on their plumbing system, but checking for leaks around your home is crucial. You should not have to wait for a leak to happen and potentially cause damage in your home’s piping. There are a few places around your home in which to check for leaks to stay ahead of any problems that may arise.

First, make sure to check your home’s water meter for leaks, as it is a great way to determine if there are any leaks in the plumbing system as a whole. Typically, the water meter is located on the side of your home, because if you cannot locate it, call the Billing Department. When you’ve located it, make sure no water is being used in or out and check the leak indicator for movement - it could be a small triangular dial or small silver wheel. If the dial moves, you may have a leak. If there is a leak, you need to continue the process by finding the main shut off valve.

Common leaks throughout your home include leaking faucets and toilets. When you have a leaky faucet, you often have a worn rubber washer. Located under the handle, the washer under the sink is easy to replace. Leaking toilets can be just as bothersome as a leaky faucet and is one of the common toilet issues most homeowners face. They can use a lot of energy and water running, so fixing a leaky toilet should be a quick fix. Even just a single dripping leak at the faucet can add up to gallons a day, so if you find a leak  in your home, work on fixing it immediately.

Unfortunately, the bathroom is a common place for checking your home for leaks. You may encounter a flapper valve leak, which contributes to the leaky toilet and means the sealing flapper in the toilet tank isn’t working. It could be damaged or worn. If the toilet is unable to flush properly, there may be a flush handle problem because the flush level bar is sticking, worn, or damaged. A leak in the bathroom typically seems small, but it can quickly waste water.