Catching leaks before they cost you

The five-minute meter test

Do this twice a year. It finds leaks nothing else will.

• Turn off every fixture and appliance that uses water.
• Note the meter reading, including the small leak-indicator dial.
• Wait thirty minutes without using water.
• Any movement means water is going somewhere it should not.

The usual suspects

Certain components fail on a predictable schedule and cause most of the claims.

• Braided supply lines under sinks and behind toilets, which should be replaced every eight to ten years.
• Washing machine hoses, the single most common cause of indoor flooding.
• Attic water heaters and their pans, which fail directly above finished ceilings.
• Refrigerator ice-maker lines, which leak slowly under a cabinet nobody moves.
• Toilet flappers, which waste thousands of gallons silently.

Sensors are cheap insurance

Battery leak sensors under sinks, behind the washer, and in the water heater pan cost very little and alert your phone. A whole-home automatic shutoff valve costs more and stops a burst line while you are out of town, which is when it matters.

Questions we get

How can I tell if I have a slab leak?

Warm spots on a floor, unexplained running water sounds, a spike in the water bill, or damp flooring with no source. Confirming it takes pressure testing, and it should be handled quickly.

How often should supply lines be replaced?

Braided stainless lines every eight to ten years, and any rubber line immediately. They are inexpensive parts guarding an expensive floor.

Does homeowners insurance cover slow leaks?

Frequently not. Policies commonly cover sudden and accidental discharge while excluding long-term seepage, which is exactly why routine checks matter.

Keep reading

• Water heater maintenance for Austin homes · Plumbing
• The appliance maintenance nobody does · Appliances
• Maintenance for Austin rentals and ADUs · Rentals