As a homeowner, you already know how damaging a water leak can be. From warping timber to peeling paint (not to mention adding hundreds of dollars to your water bill), leaks are a headache you can do without. So read on to learn how to spot the most common leaks when they appear in your home.

Water leaks are more than an annoyance – they have the potential to cause significant damage to your home and to your water bill.

At the same time, spotting water leaks can be tough. Whether they’re behind your walls, minor leaks inside appliances, or water pooling in your shower, spotting a leak is a skill – and we’re going to show you how to do it.

At Mr. Leak Detector, our quality is in our name. When it comes to diagnosing leaks in Melbourne homes and businesses, there’s no water source we can’t find. In this article, we’ll outline the 6 most common water leaks (that are threatening your water bill and household budget) and leave you with a few simple tips to stop the leaks and save money.

What type of water leaks should you watch out for?

When it comes to leaks in your home or business, there are two types you’ll want to stay alert for:

  • Water leaks that damage your home
  • Water leaks that drive up your water bill

Sometimes leaks may fall into both categories. Other times, they’ll only tick one of these boxes. For example, a leaking tap isn’t likely to damage your home. As water makes its way down the drain, there’s not likely to be a risk to your property. But after weeks, months, or years of dripping water, you’ll feel it on your water bill.

Whether you’re looking to protect your home, or save money, we’ve rounded up the most common household leaks, whether they’re damaging your home or raising your water bill.

Read on to keep your home dry and leak-free.

What causes leaks in your home or business?

The easiest way to prevent leaks in your Melbourne home or business is to understand what’s causing them. Although some causes of common leaks may require the help of your local Melbourne plumber, spotting these problems before they worsen can help save you plenty of time and money (and save you a few headaches too).

Common causes of leaks include:

  • Corrosion
  • Damaged pipe joints
  • High water pressure
  • Intruding tree roots
  • Loose water connectors
  • Rapid temperature change
  • Degrading seals
  • Clogged lines

If you already know the source of your leak, don’t wait until it’s too late. Click here to request a FREE quote and compare our prices with other Melbourne plumbers (it’s OK, we’d be comparing prices too).

6 Common water leaks to watch out for

10% of Melbourne homes experience a water leak each year, so you’re likely to have leaks to deal with at some stage. But by spotting the most common leaks and taking action, you can prevent small problems from becoming much, much worse.

Read on for the 6 most common water leaks to watch out for.

#1 – Faucet leaks

Did you know a leaking tap can waste up to 9,000 litres of water each year?

Even worse, those 9,000 litres are coming off your water bill! Faulty taps are one of the most common types of leaks and are often left alone as they don’t seem as catastrophic as a broken pipe or clogged toilet.

Your leaking taps may be the result of:

  • Broken or damaged tap washers
  • Broken or damaged seals
  • Cracked ceramic disc spindles

If you’ve noticed your kitchen or bathroom taps leaking, it’s best to contact your local Melbourne plumber. Call 9331 6633 to chat with a member of the Mr. Leak Detector team today.

#2 – Toilet leaks

Toilet leaks are a common problem, but can also be tough to diagnose. If water is slowly leaking from your tank into the bowl, you may not notice the problem. However, there are multiple signs of a leaking toilet, so be on the lookout for the following warning signs:

  • Phantom Flushes: Does your toilet briefly flush when no one is around? This occurs when the float inside your tank drops a few centimetres, causing the pump to activate and refill the water.
  • Long flush times: A poorly aligned flapper can allow water to enter your toilet bowl even after the flushing cycle ends.
  • Water pooling at base: Water around the base of your toilet can indicate a leak as gravity brings the water from your toilet down.

Mr. Leak Detector Tip: Worried your toilet is leaking? Try adding 4 or 5 drops of food colouring to the tank. Wait 30 minutes and see if any of the colouring has made its way to the bowl. If so, you’ve got a slow leak that needs attention.

#3 – Appliance leaks

Have you spotted water pooling around the base of your dishwasher, dryer, or washing machine?

You may have problems with your appliance seals – or worse. It’s common for household appliances to leak, from washing machines to dishwashers, as the drain pipes or connected hoses can weaken over time. Diagnosing a leak in an appliance is tough, as there are so many different appliances available.

For example, a top-loading washing machine may have leaks in the overflow tube. While a front-loading washing machine could experience leaks on the outer drum.

#4 – Water heater leaks

It’s common for water heaters to develop leaks as they’re constantly providing hot water for your home. These leaks may come from the tank itself, or come from broken valves and seals. If you spot water around the base of your hot water heater, you’ll need to act fast.

If left untreated, you’re not just risking cold showers each morning, but nasty mould that poses a health risk for you and your family. Although a professional leak detection team will be required to diagnose your problem, be on the lookout for:

  • Discoloured water: Red or brown water may be a sign of rust or corrosion inside your hot water unit
  • Gurgling noises: Strange noises may be a sign of internal damage and a possible cause of leaks

Looking to save money on your next plumbing service? Click here for our ‘DIY Leak Detection’ test to find and fix unwanted leaks.

#5 – Gas leaks

Not every household leak is water. Gas leaks are common in Melbourne homes where gas-powered appliances and heaters are in use. At the same time, gas leaks are tough to spot as there are not always the obvious signs you’d see if a water pipe burst or a dishwasher suddenly exploded.

The cause of gas leaks typically comes down to defective gas appliances, damaged underground gas lines, or broken piping systems. Unlike water leaks, which may have DIY solutions, a gas leak should always cause you to call your local gas fitting experts.

If you spot any signs of leaking gas – which could include a strong smell of sulfur, a hissing noise in gas appliances, dead plants near gas appliances, or an unusually high gas bill – call our expert gas leak detection team on 9331 6633 today.

#6 – Shower leaks

Water and showers go hand-in-hand, which makes spotting these common leaks a challenge. Leaks can come down from the showerhead, or up through the shower floor, which means even more ways for unwanted water to end up in your home.

There is a range of possible reasons for a shower leak, including:

  • Showerhead leaks: These may be the result of mineral deposits or damaged cartridges
  • Shower tray leaks: These may be the result of poor adhesive or faults within shower seals
  • Mixer valve leaks: These may be the result of damaged washers, O-rings, or taps
  • Grout leaks: These may be the result of gaps or chips in grouting

With enough possible causes to make your head spin, contacting a local leak detection expert is the quickest and easiest way to avoid trouble.

What type of water leak is the most common?

The most common type of water leak is likely to be in your faucet or shower. Unfortunately, these are also the most difficult to diagnose.

It’s tough to notice excess water pooling in your sink or base of your shower, after all, you expect water to be present here. As these leaks can lead to serious spikes in your water bill, you’ll need to contact your local Melbourne plumber ASAP.

At Mr. Leak Detector, we understand the importance of keeping household costs down. And the truth is, not every leak requires an urgent call to your local Melbourne plumbing team.

So if you’re facing a common leaking tap, we’ve created a simple, step-by-step guide to help you fix the problem without spending a cent on professional plumbers.

Click here to access our FREE DIY GUIDE: How to fix a leaking tap

Looking for Melbourne’s best leak detection team?

Water leaks in your home can be obvious, but they can also be tough to spot. The best way to prevent catastrophic leaks is to stay alert and get in the habit of checking the 6 common leak sources we’ve covered in this article.

  • Faucets
  • Toilet
  • Appliances
  • Water heater
  • Gas
  • Shower

You don’t need to be a professional leak detector to spot the early signs of trouble. Be on the lookout for a change in your water bill without a change in your water usage, excess water on your floors, peeling or cracked paint, or the sound of water when no water is running.

The earlier you act, the more protected your home or business will be. So the next time you catch a leak, pick up the phone and call Mr. Leak Detector on 9331 6633 today.