A Study in Leaks: Do it Yourself Leak Detection, Part 2!

A Homeowners Easy DIY Exterior Leak Detecting Guide

Bill Howe Plumbing offers their plumbers in San Diego a 4-year Journeyman Plumbing education to continue the high quality of service and craftsmanship in the community. But, it doesn’t take a Journeyman plumber to notice water pooling in your yard or to assess a dripping faucet.

Many exterior leaks go undetected because it might be difficult to notice on a daily basis. By setting aside time and making a routine inspection, you can rest assured that you will notice when leaks happen.

You are the best resource for ensuring leaks do not go unnoticed (costing money and potentially causing damage). After going through your Interior Leak Checklist, go outside and monitor for possible underground sprinkler leaks and dripping exterior fixtures.

Hose bibs and exterior facets

• Just like interior faucets, your hose connections and any outdoor faucets may become old and corroded and have slow drips.
• Check for water underneath the faucets and any buildup that may indicate leaks, past and present.

Irrigation Systems

• Check for signs of water in your yard while your sprinklers are not in use. Water may pool in areas or you might notice a greener area where extra water is being diverted.
• If you have an individual irrigation shut off, you can turn the water off and check for activity.

At the Water Meter

You can find your water meter near the front of your property. It will be inside of a concrete box, and should be easily opened (just use a slim metal tool to pull the top off!)

Your water meter will have a dial and small triangular arrow that moves while water is in use. You can monitor the usage using the numbers (similar to an  odometer) and keeping track of them month by month against your own water use. 

• Check your water meter against your water bill. You can easily mark off water usage and keep track to note any spikes in your water bill. If usage remains the same, but you feel your bills are growing, you may have a slow leak somewhere.
• If you suspect a leak, but are unsure, turn off the water to your house and check meter activity. If the little indicator (the triangular arrow) moves, even slightly, you may want to investigate further.

If you spend an hour each month and visually inspect all of your fixtures and accessible plumbing, you can address any leaks as they happen. By keeping a record of each inspection, you can also determine when leaks happen and how long they have been going on. This will assist your plumbers in San Diego in getting to the problem quickly and save you time and money in prevented damage.

If you discover a leak that you cannot take care of on your own, look no further than a trained and license San Diego plumber from Bill Howe. When you call, you will get the highest quality service, professional and “family” treatment plus free estimates on all visual leaks. We never charge a service fee, and always quote you up front!

Call 1-800 Bill Howe (245-5469) today. You’ll be glad you did! And check our blog tomorrow for the 4^th installment of a “Study in Leaks: Slab Leak” edition!