Leaks in your home are a frustrating, unpleasant surprise. One moment, everything in your home appears to be functioning as it should, when water suddenly appears in places it does not belong, like your ceiling or floor. If a water main is the source of a leak, it’s even more frustrating as it can create a ripple of problems for your home plumbing. To effectively address this issue, you will need to know how to recognize the signs of a water main leak and how to find a water main leak underground.
4 Signs Of A Water Main Leak
There are countless possible indications of a water main leak affecting your home. For now, let’s look at the four most common and alarming signs of a water main leak that you should address as urgently as possible. You won’t know how to find a water main leak underground if you cannot recognize these four symptoms.
1. There Are Pungent Odors In Your Home
Do you feel like a strange, repulsive odor has grown more pervasive in your home whenever you use water? Does that smell remind you of rotten eggs or sewage, causing you to invest in scented candles to make your indoor air more breathable? If your answer to either question is yes, then this likely means something is wrong with your plumbing. To narrow down the suspect list to a water main leak, look out for additional symptoms, which might include, but not be limited to, the following:
2. Water Puddles Are Pooling Around Your Property
If you start to see puddles of water pooling inside your home or even in your backyard, it might be indicative of a potential water main leak. Concerning indoor puddles, pay attention to any leaks originating from areas that aren’t near a water source. The further the puddles are from a water source, the more likely it is that a water main leak is the culprit. When checking the outside of your property, check where water seems to be pooling and if it’s in an unusual location outside, especially if there hasn’t been any recent instance of rainy weather.
3. Your Water Bill Is Unusually High
A higher-than-usual water bill is the biggest red flag to look out for if you suspect a water main leak coming into your home. Take a look at your next water bill as soon as it becomes available and compare it to past water bills. If the water bill increased significantly, call a plumber as soon as possible.
4. You Hear Strange Noises That Seem To Be Coming From The Pipes
If your faucets, toilets, showers, and other water-based appliances produce strange sounds whenever they are in use, it’s a cry for help from the water main. Your best option is to answer that call by confirming the source of distress on your water system. Now it’s time to learn how to find a water main leak underground.
How To Find A Water Main Leak Underground
If any of the signs above are present in your home, it means you need to act fast to determine where your water main leak is located. Follow these four steps to pinpoint the source of the leak, and save your home from incurring serious water damage.
1. Shut Off Your Home Water System
When you see any of the symptoms described above, shut off your home water system as soon as possible. Specifically, look for your home’s main water valve and shut it off. As soon as the main water valve is turned off, you can obtain an accurate representation of the state of your water system when you check your water meter.
2. Evaluate Your Water Meter
Most water meters provide some form of indication that there is a leak in your water system. These water meters will typically display a small triangle that will spin whenever water is used. When your water valve is turned off, the triangle should not move. However, if the triangle is still spinning after turning off your water system, there is a leak.
3. Examine The Ground In Your Back Or Front Yard
Do you remember how one of the signs of a water main leak was water puddles outside your home, despite the absence of rainy weather? Locate those areas in your lawn or backyard once again, as those spots are most likely the origin of the leak. However, you might be worried about whether or not your efforts to locate it were accurate. In that case, you will need to proceed to the most important step.
4. Call A Professional
As soon as you locate the approximate site of the water main leak, call a professional to repair the water main. Knowing how to find a water main leak underground will make life easier for on-site professionals. They will also repair any subsequent damages to restore your home water system to working order. Our team at ASAP Plumbing Experts will go above and beyond to return your water system to its prime. Contact us today for the best service in the Houston area!