Picture this. It’s a Sunday afternoon, you’re relaxed and well rested because you managed to sneak in that sleep-in that you’ve craved all week. The comforting aroma of homemade lasagna fills the dining room, really making you work up an appetite. Just as you’re about to dig into your delicious lunch, you hear a faint but distinct ‘chirping’ sound. You look down towards your chair leg and are suddenly horrified when you notice an uninvited guest!
You’ve guessed it. It’s a huge cockroach! You ask yourself “where did it come from?” You might be surprised to learn that water leaks can often attract surprise visitors like cockroaches and other household pests. It’s a good idea to have your home inspected by a plumber for water leaks at least once a year. The team at Look Local WA have put together a handy list of places to inspect for water leaks in your home.
Refrigerator: This is probably not the most obvious place to look for a water leak but it’s a good idea to check underneath your refrigerator for pooling water. Don’t stop there. Also have a look at the water line leading to your freezer. If you have a dishwasher it’s not a bad idea to inspect it too.
Washing machine: When inspecting the bottom of your washing machine for pooling water also make sure to carefully inspect the water lines. If you don’t notice any water leaks but do notice rust around pipes or valves, this still indicates a water issue.
Sinks and basins: Cupboards underneath sinks and basins are a common breeding space for nasty pests. If you notice that cupboards are damp, apart from increasing the risk of pests this also increases the risk of mold and mildew.
Taps: Dripping taps can be a big nuisance. Not only do they make an annoying sound when you’re trying to get some sleep and increase the price of your water bill, but as I’m sure you’ve guessed they also attract pests!
Toilet: Toilets are another common place where water leaks can be found. If you don’t notice visible leaks remove the top off the tank and try to listen out for any hissing sounds. A hissing sound indicates a possible leak in one of the pipes. Another cool little trick to try is to place a few drops of food colouring into the tank. After a few minutes if you notice the colouring entering the toilet bowl, you will know that you have a leak.
Garden: There can be many sources of water leakages in the garden. To perform a thorough check for leaks have a look at hoses, taps and irrigation systems.
Sometimes water leaks are not always so obvious or visible and can be from pipes inside walls. If you suspect that you have a water leak in your home we highly recommend attending to the leak as soon as possible to avoid paying a high water bill and to minimize the presence of nasty household pests. Find a professional local plumber today on Look Local WA.
- Simonne Francis from the Look Local WA team
