| Rapid world population growth and lifestyle | | | | can always check your house periodically for |
| change contribute to the increased demand for | | | | any water leaks, unless of course if you |
| water by mankind. Additionally, low level | | | | already hear those water dripping sound. |
| rainfall in some parts of the world, slowed | | | | Water leaks usually happen in areas where the |
| the replenishment of water supply. | | | | water-consuming appliance and plumbing |
| | | | fixtures are located. Among the most obvious |
| Therefore, each one of us should make our | | | | areas to look for water leaks are: |
| best efforts in the conservation of one the | | | | |
| most precious commodity here on our planet, | | | | 1. Bathroom & toilet area (check for |
| which is water. One such effort is to watch | | | | leaks on showerhead, faucet, and water |
| out for water leaks in our homes, no matter | | | | heating system) |
| how small those leaks might be. | | | | |
| | | | 2. Kitchen (check for leaks on faucet, |
| Although some water leaks are so slow that | | | | dishwasher, water heating system) |
| they are not detectable, some known leaks are | | | | |
| being ignored by some homeowners. This is due | | | | 3. Laundry room (check for leaks on faucet, |
| to ignorance to the fact that small leaks | | | | clothes washer) |
| that keeps on leaking would sum up into | | | | |
| thousands of gallons in a year. Imagine if | | | | 4. Garage and basement area (check on |
| all homeowners had that same attitude? | | | | evaporator cooler, hot water system) |
| | | | |
| Moreover, water leaks not only contribute to | | | | 5. Lawn (check on turf, low water use garden, |
| worldwide water shortage, but also cause | | | | irrigation system) |
| damage to some parts of the house's | | | | |
| structure. Damages to the house structural | | | | 6. Pool and spa |
| elements could cause the house to deteriorate | | | | |
| faster, collapse, and cause injuries to its | | | | 7. Patio |
| occupants. | | | | |
| | | | 8. Water meter |
| Water leak detection can either be done by | | | | |
| periodically checking the areas and | | | | Detecting water leaks through the sight and |
| components of the house's plumbing system or | | | | sound may seem an easy task. This may be true |
| by installing a commercially available water | | | | in fast and big leaks, but slow and small |
| leak detection device. | | | | leaks, it could be impossible to detect |
| | | | without the aid of a water leak detection |
| There are mainly two types of water leak | | | | device. Here are some tips in monitoring the |
| detection system: | | | | house for possible water leaks. |
| | | | |
| 1. Passive Leak Detection Systems - are | | | | 1. Water is leaking in your toilet when water |
| usually stand-alone battery-operated devices | | | | is moving from the tank to the bowl when |
| that produce alarm sounds when its moisture | | | | nobody is flushing it. |
| sensor becomes wet, these alarms enable the | | | | |
| homeowner to locate exactly where the water | | | | 2. When your toilet is flushing itself when |
| leaks are and do the necessary repairs. Since | | | | nobody is near the toilet. |
| these are battery-dependent devices, its | | | | |
| battery should be checked regularly. | | | | 3. Another method of detecting water leak in |
| | | | the toilet is to place food color in the |
| 2. Active Leak Detection Systems - also | | | | tank, should you see the color in the bowl |
| sounds an alarm when it detect water leaks, | | | | after a few minutes then you can conclude |
| and will automatically stop the water flow. | | | | that there is a leak. |
| It may use a moisture sensor or a flow sensor | | | | |
| in monitoring any water leaks. There are two | | | | 4. Since most water pipes are embedded in the |
| types of active leak detection system:a. | | | | walls and floors, we can only know if there |
| Individual appliance systems - monitors leaks | | | | are leaks when you see discoloration on a |
| from a single appliance and automatically | | | | wall, ceiling, and carpet. |
| shuts off water supply to such appliance | | | | |
| should leaks be detected.b. Whole house | | | | 5. Detecting water leaks in sprinkling system |
| systems - monitors leaks in the whole house | | | | is the same with spotting leaks on concealed |
| and shuts off the main water supply to the | | | | piping systems. |
| house should leaks be detected. A whole house | | | | |
| system is composed of several moisture | | | | 6. One such practical way to know whether you |
| sensors which sends signal to control the | | | | have water leaks in your house is to monitor |
| valve via a radio signal or by means of | | | | your water bill. Should you have higher water |
| wiring connections. | | | | bill with the same usual consumption, you |
| | | | could seek a professional plumber or check it |
| Every house is unique and has a special | | | | out with your local utility company. |
| situation to determine what type of water | | | | |
| leak system is applicable. Some simple | | | | Water leaks only worsen through time; it |
| systems may be installed by the homeowner, | | | | would be wise for you to deal with it as |
| but complex systems should be done by a | | | | early as possible. Early detection and repair |
| qualified plumber. | | | | shall save you money and prevent damage to |
| | | | your house. If you ignore it, you are only |
| If you don't have a water leak detection | | | | postponing something you should do anyway. |
| system device installed in your house, you | | | | |