How to Find and Fix a Leaking Pipe in Your Home

Did you know that a leaking pipe can waste as much as 10,000 gallons of water every year?

The cost and wastage of water associated with a broken water pipe can really add up over time. You will also pay higher bills as your local water company charges per unit for water usage to send out leak detection specialists.

To learn more about how to find a leaking pipe and repair it, keep reading.

Tools You’ll Need to Find and Fix a Leaking Pipe

To find and fix a leaking pipe in your home, you’ll need a few tools. A small mirror will help you see the back of the pipes and spot any leaks and a flashlight to see into the mirror and spot the leaks.

You’ll also need a wrench to tighten or loosen the pipes, depending on what’s needed, and a pipe repair kit to patch up any holes or cracks. Once you have these tools, you’re ready to start.

Shut Off the Water to the House

If you have a water leak in your home, you will want to shut off the water to the house to find and fix the leak. First, locate the main water shut-off valve for your home. This is usually located near the water meter or where the water line comes into your home.

Once you have found the valve, turn it to the “off” position. Next, go to the area of your home where the leak is located and look for the water shut-off valve for that area.

Now that the water is shut off, you can begin to repair the leak.

Identify the Location of the Leak

This can be difficult, depending on the size and severity of the leak. However, there are a few things you can do to help narrow down the search.

Check all exposed pipes for leaks, such as under sinks, in the basement or crawl space, or near water heaters or appliances. Also, look for signs of water damage, such as stains on walls or ceilings, or pooling water on the floor. If you still can’t find the source of the leak, you may need to call a professional.

Fix the Leak Yourself or Call a Plumber

It’s generally pretty easy to fix a leaky pipe yourself. Unscrew the damaged section of pipe, and replace it with a new section of pipe. Make sure you put pipe sealant on the threads before screwing the new section of pipe into place.

Once you have replaced the damaged section of the pipe, turn the water back on and check for leaks. If there are no leaks, then you have successfully fixed the leaky pipe. Otherwise, it’s best to call a professional.

Once the pipe is repaired, you can start the water damage restoration process. This may include removal of wet materials, drying, and dehumidification.

Repairing the Leaking Pipe

If your home has a leaking pipe, it’s important to find and fix it as soon as possible. There are a few ways to do this, and the best method will vary depending on the location of the leak.

Once you’ve found the leak, you can use a patch kit or plumbing tape to fix it. If the leak is in a hard-to-reach place, you may need to call a plumber.

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