Your on-call plumber might be your white knight, but sometimes you can save money with a DIY approach. The first step is troubleshooting plumbing problems so that you know what you’re working with. The easiest, most obvious, way to check for a problem is often overlooked. Choose the quietest time of day, and simply listen for a drip or drops of water.
Make sure you check all bathrooms and kitchens. Even a slow drip can raise your water bill, not to mention being wasteful. This might not be a “problem” so much as a cranky faucet that’s tough to turn completely off. Unless it’s an emergency, try these troubleshooting tips before calling your plumber.
Know Where to Look
Water damage is often difficult to spot because it’s in places where you don’t check. Look underneath vanities, deep inside covers, and along walls where you know pipes are. Oftentimes, this is in the basement which is kept dark and where you don’t spend much time. If you’re able to see exposed pipes, check for moisture and drops. Keep in mind that some moisture on pipes is a real problem, but other times it’s just “sweat” and might be a false alarm.
Check along baseboards, especially in pipe-rich zones like kitchens and bathrooms. Remember that slow leaks often turn into mildew or mold—which is a health hazard. Black mold can be very difficult to see, especially in dark areas where it can blend in.
Be a Meter Maid
Your water meter is a great source of information. You might suspect a leak if your water bill spikes for no apparent reason, but the only real way to tell is by comparing your water meter. Find it, note the level and time, and then wait a few hours. Check it again, and see if the level matches any amount you’ve used during the waiting period.
Sometimes leaks are slow, and you might not notice much of a difference on your water bill. You might be overpaying every month, and those relatively small amounts add up over time. However, very small leaks also might not impact the water meter by much. If in doubt, it’s time to call a plumber.
Is Your Toilet Trying to Tell You Something?
“Is your toilet running?” isn’t just the opening line for a telephone prank. If you do notice your toilet running when no one’s used it, there might be a problem. There might be a seal leak, which is letting the tank water slowly out until it needs to replenish itself. The leak may be small, but it’s a huge waste of water.
Even someone who’s a total novice can do a little troubleshooting. You might discover there’s an easy fix you can do yourself. Or, at the very least, you can point a plumber in the right direction. Knowledge is power—including when it comes to leaks and drips.