When the water bill suddenly climbs with no significant change in your consumption, there's probably a leak somewhere. You may be wondering how to find the leak on your own or, if you can’t solve the mystery yourself, what tactics a plumber will use. Here’s a closer look at how to be a leak detective.

What Can Homeowners Do to Find a Leak?

To determine if there's a plumbing leak, first check your household's water consumption. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a family of four typically uses up to 12,000 gallons of water per month. If your water consumption is higher than it should be based on the size of your household, your plumbing may have sprung a serious leak.

The EPA also advises homeowners to check the meter before and after a two-hour timeframe when no one is using water. Any change in the meter level signals a plumbing problem.

How Does a Plumber Find a Hidden Leak?

Check all the places you have easy access to and look for puddles of water, discoloration, or dampness in the walls and floorboards. If you come up empty in your search, you’ll likely need a professional’s help. Your plumber can use two advanced methods to pinpoint the location of a plumbing leak. 

An acoustic sensor is a very sensitive sound device that can detect escaping water even through construction materials like concrete. These sensors are immensely helpful in spotting areas that need to be repaired.

The thermography process uses an infrared device to scan surfaces and measure temperature differences. Through this device, a professional plumber can zero in on the location of the drip.

Whenever residents in Cabarrus County and surrounding areas need an expert plumber, they turn to All American Plumbing in Concord, NC, to get the job done right. Our professional plumbers have been serving residential and commercial clients for 30 years and give written warranties with all our work. You can count on us to promptly address emergency plumbing repairs, from leaking faucets to burst pipes and failing recirculating pumps. Call (704) 788-8690 to get a free plumbing estimate or learn more about what we do on our website.