Water leaks can be unpleasant to deal with, not only because of potential damage. In the UK, it is suspected that roughly 900 million litres of clean water is wasted daily because of leaks in the home. This equates to £697 million in water bills annually, which homeowners could spend on other necessities.
If you suspect a leak and want to avoid losing money, it is critical to act quickly. Fast action can prevent the leak from affecting the house, its possessions, and its inhabitants. It will also reduce the amount you might have to pay to repair any damage.
This article includes the five steps homeowners should take if they believe their residence leaks.
Find the Stopcock
If you suspect a leak in your home, the first task you should complete is to locate the stopcock or stop tap, which is usually under the kitchen sink. However, there may be several individual stopcocks around the house.
The stopcock should be turned clockwise to stop the water from running. After it has been turned off and any other parts of the house have also been switched off, the pipes can be drained by turning on the cold water tap.
Look for Signs of a Leak
Although you might suspect a leak, you need to look for clues. Sometimes, the leak won’t cause visible damage to your home, so looking at water pressure or your water bill should help. Water pressure will be weaker, and water bills will be higher than usual; the latter is often why people suspect a water leak.
However, signs like wet patches, rusted pipes, and the sound of running water should also be checked for. If you hear dripping regularly, especially when it rains or the shower is running, this could also cause a leak within the house. There could also be a smell of damp.
Turn Off Your Electricity and Heating
When you suspect a leak, turning off everything in the house is vital. This is the best way to avoid further damage to your home and keep all occupants safe. If the leak is near any appliances, the electricity should be turned off with the correct circuit breakers.
Wet appliances should not be used; depending on the weather, allow 24 hours or more for them to dry out. To be safe, turn off wall sockets and light fittings, too. Water behind the wall can damage them, making them difficult to identify.
If you are still determining the leak’s origin, it is wise to turn off your heating system. Find the shut-off valve next to your boiler and switch it off. You should then drain the system by running the hot water tap.
Call a Plumber
Some people will have the time to review their insurance documents before calling a professional, but others won’t. The easiest solution is to find a local plumber to assess the leak before dealing with your insurance policy. This avoids any additional issues that might develop through DIY plumbing.
Several professionals will offer emergency call-outs, although this service might be more expensive. An experienced plumber will protect you and your home if anything goes wrong during the repairs.
In these situations, it might benefit you to look into plumbers before any issues arise. This can save time when a leak appears, as you will not be rushing around searching for a reputable service. You should select those with excellent reviews, quick response times, and high fix percentages when looking for a plumber.
The availability will also depend on your location; finding a trace and access plumber should be relatively easy as plumbers are the third most in-demand tradespeople in the UK.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Once the plumber has assessed the cause of the leak and any damage, the last thing to do is claim with your insurance company. Most home insurance policies will cover water damage. This claim will be for an “escape of water” or similar.
If the repairs are extensive, having your home insured is incredibly useful. Your policy will provide financial assistance if there is water damage. How much the policy covers will depend on your insurance provider.
However, it would be best to do this only after the plumber has visited. Contacting your insurance company before the plumber has identified the cause of the leak could result in claim denial.
Following the steps in this article, you can quickly prevent further damage to your house. This will also ensure your water bills don’t climb up unexpectedly.
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