16th-20th of March is National Fix A Leak Week but as that fell in the midst of the global outbreak we all had other unprecedented situations to deal with. Now we have varying states of lockdown being enforced across the world, we thought it would be a great time to catch up with it.
National Fix A Leak Week is there to remind us of the link between water preservation and environmental protection. It is also there to show people how they are contributing to water waste and, more importantly, how small changes to their habits can help to conserve water.
Water is such a common appearance in all of our lives that it can easily be taken for granted and its value as an essential resource can be overlooked. In each of our homes alone we are estimated to waste around 10,000 gallons a year. On a global scale, that number is so large as to be unimaginable.
To play your part in the war against water waste, we’ve got some handy hints here offered by the experts in the field:
1) Check Your Water Bill
If you have a leak that can’t be seen this is often the most reliable way to find out. Monitor the bills over a three to four-month period and check them against older ones if you can (for the amount of water used; the price per unit may well have changed). Preventing leaking water can save an estimate 10% on the average water bill. For reference, the average person uses 170-280 litres of water per day. In Dubai, it is more like 550 litres per day (due to the extreme heat).
2) Monitor Your Meter
Choose a 3-4 hour period when you know no water will be used (late at night or when you are home alone and can control appliances) and check your meter both before and after. If the meter reading has changed, something may be wrong, either with the meter itself or with an undetected leak.
3) Check the Usual Suspects Regularly
There are certain areas where leaks are more likely – around toilets, sinks, baths and showers and around appliances that use water and any pipe work associated with plumbing. Check these areas for drips and pools of water regularly and if you find a leak, repair it as soon as possible.
4) Check Around the Home
Water pooling is not the only sign of a leak. Damp patches or mould are also signs that you have errant water around your home. As the spores from damp mould can cause respiratory illness, this in particular is a sign that requires urgent attention if found. Damp & mould patches might be lurking in cupboards or even beneath flooring, carpets, bath panels or lifted tiles, so please check carefully.
5) Check Outside Regularly
Swimming pools, hot tubs and irrigation systems can all be the cause of leaks, so checking these areas and any associated with their drainage is a must. Keeping track of how often you top up your pool or hot tub can also help you identify if you have a leak. Boggy areas of ground or pooled water on a patio may be signs that something is leaking, too.
In many instances, leak detection and repair can be a simple business and acting fast can save a lot of money in the long run as it halts further structural damage being done by the water. Sometimes, though, the source of the leak can seem elusive, leaving patches of damp and mould but no trail for you to follow back to the source. On those occasions, we have just the solution.
LeakDTech is a specialist water leak detection system that utilises state of the art infrared thermal imaging equipment to scan walls, ceilings and floors, enabling us to detect hidden leaks without invasive digging.
So try those tips and if you find a damp patch or pool that you can’t locate the source of, give our team of experts a call and see what we can do for you to find and fix leaks fast and help you do your bit for water conservation.
For information on how we can help if you suspect a leak, consult LeakDTech’s professionals now!
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