The quickest way to check for a water leak is your water meter. Turn off every tap and appliance, then watch whether the meter moves or not. If yes, water is escaping somewhere; if not, you’re good to go. Need expert suggestions? Send us pictures of your water meter before and after 24 hours, and we’ll guide you on whether you need a fix or not. 

Key Takeaways:

• Turn off all water sources and take a picture of your water meter before and after 24 hours to see if there’s a leak. 
• Food colouring in the cistern shows a silent toilet leak within 15 minutes. 
• You must know where the stopcock is to stop a burst pipe before it floods the house.
• In case you come home to a leak, shut off the main water supply first, then call a licensed plumber. 
• SA Water may credit part of the water cost after a professional repairs a concealed leak. 

The bags are packed and the esky’s in the boot. The house is about to stay empty for a week or two. The celebrations are in full swing, and so is that hidden tap leak that’s going to flood your house while you’re away.

If there’s a hidden leak in your home, chances are, the cistern that runs all day won’t wait for you to come back. Neither will a pipe weeping under the slab. Nobody will be around to fix it, but the moment you come back, you’ll either see the signs in a massive water bill or a soggy carpet or ruined furniture.

Here’s a quick checklist from Horncastle Plumbing that we always give to clients when they’re leaving the home for a few weeks.

1. Photograph Your Water Meter

The simplest check our licensed plumbers recommend, and SA Water’s holiday advice also recommends, is to shut off every tap, appliance, and sprinkler. Then take a picture of your water meter before and after 24 hours. You can usually find the meter near your front boundary, and look for the small leak indicator on the dial.

If the numbers moved while all the water sources were off, water is leaking somewhere silently. Allow for anything that runs on its own while you’re away, like an irrigation timer or an automatic pool.

2. Check Every Toilet Cistern

We’d put this test first on the list in terms of importance, and it takes only two minutes. A running cistern is the most common household leak. SA Water mentions that it can leak up to 260 litres a day if left unnoticed.

Here’s what you have to do (no tools required).

• Add a few drops of food colouring in the cistern, then wait 10 to 15 minutes without flushing. 
• Colour in the bowl means water is slipping past the seal, and the leak won’t fix itself; you’re going to need professional, licensed plumbers in Adelaide to fix it. 

We covered the usual culprits in That Toilet Won’t Stop Running? Most fixes are quick.

3. Find Your Main Stopcock

If a pipe bursts while the neighbours are minding the place, they’ll need to find the shut-off fast. In most Adelaide homes, the stopcock is beside the meter at the front boundary. 

Check that it turns freely, because valves that haven’t been used for years can seize. Show the person collecting your mail where it is, and leave our number on the fridge in case something goes wrong.

Summer heat can also be hard on older pipes. You can read more in The Hidden Toll of Adelaide Summers on Your Pipes.

4. Look For The Quiet Signs

Walk the house before you leave. Look for the following signs:

• Bubbling paint and warped flooring near a bathroom or laundry 
• Damp patches can also be a sign, so keep your eyes open
• Hissing sound with every tap off
• Peeling paint near pipes or a musty smell in cupboards

What To Do When You Come Home To a Leak?

Do not panic and shut off the main water supply first. Keep clear of any water near power points and only switch off at the switchboard if it’s safe to reach. 

Open all the windows and air the place out to get the dampness out. 

Take photos for your insurer before anything gets moved, then call a local emergency plumber like Horncastle Plumbing to find and fix the source professionally without escalating the matter. 

Our team handles burst pipe repairs across Adelaide 24/7, with no call-out fee and labour from $99. 

There’s a small silver lining with concealed leaks. SA Water offers a leakage allowance for concealed leaks that a licensed plumber fixes using authorised materials. You must complete the repair within four weeks of finding the leak or receiving a high water use notice. You can only claim once every five years. Keep the invoice. 

Want a Full Inspection Before You Leave? 

Never leave your home closed without inspecting for a water leak. If you’re on a time crunch, doubt you might have a leak somewhere, or need a professional inspection for peace of mind, our dedicated team of licensed plumbers is just a call away. We offer same-day services if you book before 12 pm. 

Call us at (08) 8271 0664 or book online to book an emergency plumber today. With Horncastle Plumbing, get 10% off labour charges. 

FAQs

Should I turn off my hot water system whenever I leave home?

You don’t have to shut off your entire water supply when you’re away for a day or two. But for a trip of a week or more, it’s best to shut off the water system. You can turn off the electric system switch at the breaker. Gas units usually have a pilot setting on the control, and it’s best to leave the solar to the pros. 

Do plumbers work over Christmas? 

Horncastle Plumbing is available 24/7, including Christmas break. No call-out fees, and same-day service is available across Adelaide.