As Sydney water prices are set to rise again from the first of July, it’s becoming more important than ever to ensure that our home and property systems for water and gas are free of leaks. The scary statistic is that a single dripping tap can squander over 18,000 litres of water in a single year. Just think about that leaky tap that has been ignored for the past who knows how long? It is costing you money – and then there are the leaks that are out of sight.
An average family should use no more than 45,500 Litres of water in a month. If that much or more H2O is being used then it is a red flag that there could be some serious leaks and professional help is required. Another red flag is any increase in water usage on the household meter over a period of time when all taps have been turned off. (This same method of checking meters can be utilised for detecting a gas leak.)
Leaky Toilets
One leak that often goes unnoticed is in the toilet when the valve seal or toilet flapper has worn out over time. Here is a quick tip to discover if this is the case:
• Place a drop or two of food colouring into the cistern.
• Wait fifteen minutes.
• Check if any of the dye has made its way into the bowl.
If leakage is discovered, then it’s time to call us at JEDI Plumbing on 0411 774 381.
Other Tell-Tale Signs Inside The Home
There are other classic signs of water leaks inside homes that can have a number of causes. Mould, bubbling paint or water stains on walls and ceilings are the most obvious signs of a leak. If this happens in the vicinity of a bathroom/shower, however, it could be due to a faulty waterproofing membrane which is used to keep walls dry.
Outside the House
The signs of water leakage in the areas around a house or building are quite straight forward, such as a portion of ground which is excessively wet, or a patch of turf which is greener and growing faster than other areas.
Hidden Leaks
It is inevitable that with plumbing work hidden behind walls or below ground level that the problem can only be identified by a plumber. Tradesman today utilise new technologies including flexible drain CCTV camera’s which can pinpoint a problem. This allows any leaks found to be repaired with the minimum fuss and expense.
Gas Leaks
We have already seen a technique for checking a suspected gas leak by monitoring the meter while everything’s turned off. However, it is important to realise that such leaks can occur in several places.
If you have perhaps smelt gas at home, it could be coming from:
• Gas BBQ
• Gas Heater
• Gas Hot Water System
• Gas Meter
• Gas Oven/Stove
Such leaks not only cost you money, but also have the potential to cause serious harm and must be properly rectified. It’s vital that a licensed plumber be called in to make any necessary repairs avoiding the infamous “DIY disasters”.
Work that may need to be required is the replacement of pipes, replacement of gas meters, installation of new gas bayonets, or even the installation of a new gas service.
Services such as this are offered in Sydney’s North Shore and North Beaches area by the professionals here at JEDI Plumbing. We are leak detection and repair specialists, including taps, hot water, gas, guttering, toilet, bathroom and kitchen plumbing.
With water prices set to rise again, why not call us today to arrange an inspection, on 0411 774 381.