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You can usually tell if there's a leak if you experience an unexplained uptick in water usage or see stains or peeling paint on the walls, floors, or ceilings. Once you’ve established that you may have a leak, the next order of business is to find it. Whether it’s your water heater or your toilet, here are some of the easiest ways to locate a leak that’s plaguing your plumbing.

How to Locate a Leaky Pipe

1. Look for Moisture on Walls, Ceilings & Floors

Moisture in places it shouldn’t be is the easiest way to locate leaks. Start your sleuthing by inspecting the walls, ceilings, and floors around all plumbing fixtures and appliances that use water. Take a room-by-room tour to look for water above and under sinks, the dishwasher, and the washing machine. Any sign of wetness or damage to paint indicates a leak in a pipe that runs along that wall or ceiling. Shut off the water to that location and schedule plumbing service. 

2. Check the Kitchen & Bathroom

Water HeaterOpen up the cabinets under the sinks and take a good look around. Do you smell anything? A musty smell could be a sign of mold or mildew stemming from a leak. Clear everything from the cabinet to look for stains and signs of dampness. Shine a light on the pipes to check for any noticeable signs of corrosion or wetness. Tightening fittings may stop an under-the-sink leak.

Squeeze a few drops of food coloring into the toilet tank. Wait about 30 seconds and flush. If you see color in the toilet bowl, you’ve found a toilet leak. You may be able to fix it easily and inexpensively by heading to your local plumbing supply store for a new filling mechanism or toilet flapper. 

3. Check the Water Heater

Look around your water heater for the telltale signs of leakage. If you’re able to remove the drainpipe, examine it for leaks. If you don’t spot water, listen closely for dripping or the sound of water rushing. If you can hear the sound of water but don’t see a leak, the leak may be inside the appliance and it may need replacing.

 

Whether you’re looking for a toilet flapper, gasket, or water heater replacement, Day’s Plumbing Supply, in Lexington, KY, is your one-stop shop for all your plumbing part needs. If the part you need isn’t in inventory, their friendly and knowledgeable staff will help you track it down and have it shipped to you. Send them a message online, or give them a call today at (859) 254-6148 to ask about plumbing repair parts.

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