A common question a Brisbane plumber will get is, “How can I find a water leak in my home?” It’s a fair question because they can cause serious damage to your home and finances, and a Brisbane plumber will see water leak related problems dozens of times in a week. 

How would a Brisbane plumber recommend detecting a water leak?

Before you find where the water is leaking from, you need to confirm you have a water leak. Some leaks are easy to find because they can be seen, but many are hidden. So, how can you tell you there’s a leak? Any Brisbane plumber will tell you to check the water metre. Some modern dwellings have leak sensors, but not all homes do. To manually check for a leak with your water metre, note the reading of your water metre, don’t use water for a couple of hours, then take the reading again. If you haven’t used any water, and the reading has increased, then a Brisbane plumber will say you’ve probably got a leak. 

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Brisbane Plumber tips for finding a leak

Now that you know you have a leak, you’ll probably want to find the problem. Here are a few measures to help you find the leak.

Brisbane Plumber Leak Step 1 – Check the most common places for leaks

The first place a Brisbane Plumber will recommend looking is at the internal and external piping of common places for water leaks to occur. Here’s a Brisbane plumber’s list of the most common locations for a water leak:

If this doesn’t help, try the more specific steps below.

Brisbane Plumber Leak Step 2 – Shut off your property’s hot water system

A Brisbane plumber will recommend shutting off the hot water system because it will help you determine if the leak is hot or cold. You can generally find the shut-off valve near the hot water system. Once it’s off, run the same test as above. 

Brisbane Plumber Leak Step 3 – Turn off your toilet’s isolation valve

If it’s not hot-water, a Brisbane plumber will suggest isolating the toilet by switching off the valve. The valve will either be next to or behind the toilet, or inside the cistern. Once again, after you isolate the toilet, run the water metre test. 

Alternatively, a Brisbane plumber may give you a sneaky tip. Put some food dye in the cistern and let it sit for half an hour, without flushing the toilet. If the toilet bowl becomes coloured, or there’s coloured water around the toilet, there’s a leak.

Brisbane Plumber Leak Step 4 – Turn off your garden’s reticulation system

Reticulation systems which are connecting to the mains water supply can be switched off but still cause a leak. To determine if this is your problem, switch off the reticulation isolation tap at the mains and run the water metre test again. 

What should you do once you find the leak, or if you can’t find the leak? 

Whether you find the leak or not, the best way to proceed is calling an expert. Trying to fix these things yourself could lead to further damage and cost. So, if you have a leak problem, at any time of the day or night, call The Brisbane Plumbers. We’re Brisbane’s most reliable 24-hour emergency plumbing service. We’ll be on the job within 60 minutes – that’s our guarantee. We will deal with your plumbing problems efficiently and professionally while providing outstanding customer service. Call The Brisbane Plumbers, now, on 0450 932 850.