Constant Leaks can squander 96,000 liters of water per year, while hidden, barely visible leaks waste more than 4,000 liters of water annually.

It is an imperative for people all around the world, especially Australia as a dry country, to use water efficiently.

Not only can Hidden Plumbing Leaks increase water wastage, but they can seriously damage your property, too.

Finally, moisture causes mould growth leading to health issues, such as allergy, asthma and other respiratory diseases.

Finding hidden plumbing leaks

First of all, turn off water-using appliances for 3h. It is best if you do it during the night.

Find a water meter usually located in your garden, under the sink, in the basement, or in the downstairs toilet.

Write down the number the meter is showing. When 3h have passed, check the meter and see if the number increased, or not.

If the number increased, it means you have hidden leaks.

Tub and shower leaks

There are three types of leaks in a tub, or shower – splash leaks, drain leaks and tile leaks.

If water is escaping past a shower door, you have splash leaks. Check if the door has gaps in rubber gaskets.

If does, replace worn-out gaskets. Now check whether the shower door has gaps in the caulk between the shower and the floor.

If the frame needs sealing, apply the caulk around the frame.

Signs of drain leaks include water stains on the ceiling as well as damp flooring. Firstly, you need to unscrew a drain flange.

You can use a drain removal tool, including a drain key, or a smart dumbbell. Clean it and apply the caulk around it.

Find the gasket and replace it with a new one. Screw in the flange in its place.

Mould, peeling paint, loose tiles and water stains on the ceiling can show you that you have tile leaks, especially if you notice the old grout, or caulk.

If you do not have problems with loose tiles, remove the deteriorating grout, or caulk and apply a new layer.

If you have more than two loose tiles, install a backer board and seal a new tile.

Toilet flange leaks

“Toilet flange leaks result in water stains in the ceiling of the room underneath the bathroom”, say experienced Hazlet-based plumbers.

Measure the distance between the stacked walls and water stains in both the bathroom and the room underneath.

If the stains are close to the toilet seat, you need to repair toilet flange leaks. Remove the toilet seat by unscrewing the nuts on the base of the toilet.

Find the flange and the wax ring and reinstall them. Screw in the toilet seat.

Sink leaks

As far as sink leaks are concerned, the source can be rim leaks, supply leaks and drain leaks.

To repair rim leaks, try tightening the faucet base and the nuts that connect the sink and the countertop.

Next, remove the caulk around the sink rim and reapply with a new layer. Supply leaks happen when the shut-off valve underneath the sink is the source of leaking.

Try tightening the packing nut. If leaking persists, you need to replace a shut-off valve. Drain leaks occur at the slip joints of the drain pipe.

Firstly, tighten the slip nut. If that does not help, you need to disassemble the slip joints and apply the Teflon joint compound on the washer.

All these plumbing issues can be solved with a help of the caulk and basic plumbing tools.

If leaking persists after troubleshooting, the best thing you can do is call a professional plumber.

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