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