The arrival of spring brings an increase in outdoor activities that drive up water usage, like filling the pool and watering the garden, making spring a great time to check for hidden sources of water leaks that drive up your utility bill and waste water.

These three tips from American Leak Detection will help you spot and correct plumbing problems:

  • Is the indicator on your water meter moving when you know there has been no water usage inside the house? Check the hose bibs around your yard to make certain that the flow of water to the hose is shutting off completely when the hose is not in use. If these connections are tight, and the meter’s indicator is still moving, you may have a pressurized leak underground between the meter and your home. Or, you could have a slab leak or a leak in your irrigation system. Check your home’s foundation for cracks, uneven growth of vegetation or earth shifts, and walk your yard looking for spongy or even wet areas. If your inspection doesn’t turn up an obvious leak source, use electronic leak-detection technology to locate, and fix, the leak at its source.
  • If your gas bill is suddenly high and there’s no smell of gas indicating a gas leak, check your water heater. You may have a faulty thermostat, or if your water heater seems to be running constantly, you may have a water leak in the hot water line from the heater. Warm spots on your floor (your dog or cat may have taken to sleeping there) can also be an indication of a pressurized leak under your home.
  • Got a pool? If the water level in the pool drops by one-eighth inch or more in a 24-hour period, if algae growth begins soon after a chemical treatment, or if the pool’s automatic filler is running continuously, chances are the pool is leaking. Check for loose or missing tiles, cracks in the pool deck, cracks and gaps in the pool shell, and standing water, soggy spots, or uneven grass growth around the pool.

SOURCE: American Leak Detection, Inc.